Staff Reporter :
The European Union (EU) has pledged its full support for Bangladesh’s reform initiatives and its ongoing fight against corruption.
Paola Pampaloni, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department at the European External Action Service (EEAS), conveyed this message during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, in Dhaka on Wednesday.
“The message is clear: the European Union stands with you,” Pampaloni said, expressing the EU’s readiness to support Bangladesh in its reform efforts.
She reassured Yunus that the 27 member states of the European Union would offer both financial and technical assistance to help Bangladesh implement necessary reforms.
The meeting, which took place at the Chief Adviser’s office in Tejgaon, was also attended by Michael Miller, the EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Bangladesh.
Pampaloni emphasized that there would be no shortage of funding to support these reform efforts and that the EU would provide technical expertise to ensure their success.
Pampaloni highlighted the EU’s long-standing commitment to aiding countries in their reform processes.
“We were listening closely to your statements at the UNGA and have now identified a partner in Bangladesh whom we can work with,” she said. “You don’t need to feel alone; we are keen to offer our support.”
During the discussion, the Chief Adviser recalled a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the UN General Assembly in September, where they discussed EU assistance for Bangladesh in areas such as combating corruption and transitioning to renewable energy.
Von der Leyen had pledged the EU’s support, particularly in leveraging its vast expertise in these fields.
The EU has successfully supported many countries with similar challenges, using both financial resources and technical expertise, Pampaloni noted.