Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and visiting Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma on Tuesday discussed strengthening trade and investment ties, the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), cooperation on the Teesta project and the Rohingya crisis.
The issues came up when Sjoerdsma paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at his Secretariat office, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin.
Tarique Rahman welcomed the Netherlands’ interest in conducting a feasibility study for the Teesta project and providing technical assistance and sharing expertise in this regard.
He said Bangladesh and the Netherlands are both delta countries, offering ample opportunities for cooperation in addressing common challenges and sharing experiences.
The Prime Minister also expressed particular interest in the Netherlands’ experience in land reclamation.
Sjoerdsma said it is the right time to further strengthen relations between the two countries by expanding investment and cooperation, particularly in water resource management, transboundary river management, democracy and economic development.
He also stressed the importance of expanding cooperation and exchanging knowledge and experience in water resource management, land reclamation, char development and adaptive river management.
The two sides also discussed free trade and Bangladesh’s trade relations with the EU.
Sjoerdsma expressed interest in promoting free trade, while Bangladesh sought the Netherlands’ support in exploring the possibility of an FTA with the EU.
The discussions also covered ways to expand bilateral trade and investment, with both sides highlighting opportunities to strengthen economic cooperation.
The Dutch minister also wanted to know about the government’s initiatives to address Bangladesh’s ongoing energy crisis.
He praised Bangladesh’s plans for renewable energy, according to the meeting briefing.
The Prime Minister reiterated his government’s position that the roots of the crisis lay in Myanmar and that a lasting solution must also be found there.
He also said the government wants to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees to their homeland.
Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening diplomatic efforts at bilateral and multilateral levels to help resolve the crisis.
The Netherlands also expressed interest in extending cooperation with Bangladesh in the agriculture sector.
The two sides discussed opportunities to draw on Dutch experience and technological expertise to support agricultural development in Bangladesh.
Democratic consolidation and human rights protection also featured in the talks.
Tarique Rahman said the BNP, as a political party, had itself been a victim of human rights violations in the past.
Drawing on that experience, his government is committed to protecting and strengthening human rights in the country, he said.
At the end of the meeting, Sjoerdsma invited the Prime Minister to visit the Netherlands.
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Mahdi Amin, Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel and relevant officials were present.