In order to secure its bid for GSP+ benefits beyond 2029 and an extra six years of international support measures (ISM) to help the country transition after graduating from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category in 2026, Bangladesh today requested Belgium’s assistance through the European Union (EU).
At today’s Second Round of Political Consultations between Bangladesh and Belgium, Dhaka requested Brussels’ assistance.
According to a news release, the Belgian team promised Bangladesh that these proposals would be given careful consideration during the discussion.
Ambassador Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam led the Bangladesh delegation while Jeroen Cooreman, Director General (Bilateral Affairs), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of Belgium led his country’s delegation at the meeting.
Didier Vanderhasselt, Belgium’s non-resident ambassador to Bangladesh, and officials from several Bangladeshi government ministries also participated in the consultations.
The conversations started out by talking about the recent popular movement led by students and the goals of the interim administration, which included systemic governmental reforms, economic stabilisation, and the restoration of law and order.
Belgium’s willingness to work with the interim government was appreciated, Dr. Islam said.
He also recalled Belgian Queen Mathilde’s visit to Bangladesh in February 2023, where she visited Rohingya camps, and appreciated Belgium’s continued support for resolving the Rohingya crisis.
In this context, the Bangladesh co-chair briefed Belgium on the Chief Adviser’s letter to the UN Secretary-General, urging an all-stakeholder meeting in early 2025 to address the issue.
Belgium highlighted its growing business interest in Bangladesh, noting that Belgian entrepreneurs view the country not only as an export market but also as a manufacturing hub.
Both sides expressed optimism about deepening cooperation in cancer research through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH) in Bangladesh and the Bordet Cancer Institute in Belgium.
The talks also focused on working together to address the existential threat of climate change, enhance human rights conditions, and sustainably implement the loss and damage payment system.
Global concerns such as the Indo-Pacific, the situation in Ukraine, and the humanitarian horrors in the Israel-Palestine conflict were also discussed.
In 2025, at a time that works for both parties, the third round of Bangladesh-Belgium political discussions will take place in Brussels.
