Bangladesh, EU begin 2nd round of PCA negotiations

Bangladesh has started holding second phase of negotiations for a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with the European Union (EU).

The two-day talks began virtually from Tuesday (July 15).

Through this agreement, Bangladesh is poised to become the first South Asian country to join a comprehensive cooperation framework with the EU.

The PCA aims to establish a comprehensive framework for strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. This framework will cover areas such as trade, investment, governance, human rights, climate action, and sustainable development.

According to Foreign Ministry officials, Foreign Ministry Secretary Md Nazrul Islam will lead the Bangladeshi delegation in the negotiations. Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at the European External Action Service, will lead on behalf of the EU. 

Following the continuity of these negotiations, an EU delegation will visit Bangladesh in October to participate in the third round of negotiations in Dhaka.

The first round of negotiations took place at the EU Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on April 10, 2024, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh. The PCA is designed to provide a robust and comprehensive structure for the evolving relationship between Bangladesh and the EU.

This partnership builds upon a long history of diplomatic relations, which were established in 1973. The cooperation agreement signed in 2001 extended to trade, economic cooperation, development, human rights, good governance, and the environment. The current focus is on further strengthening these ties through the PCA.