Diplomatic Desk:
A high-level delegation led by Mr. Henrik Nielsen, Director of the European Union’s Directorate-General for International Affairs, Returns and Visas and Director-General of the European Commission’s Migration and Home Affairs, paid a courtesy call on the Home Minister of Bangladesh, Salahuddin Ahmed, at his office in the Bangladesh Parliament today (June 11, 2026).
In the meeting, which was held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere, the two sides discussed in detail various issues of mutual interest, including the law and order and security situation, prevention of illegal migration, security sector reform, strengthening of the National Human Rights Commission, and the upcoming visit of the European Commissioner for Home Affairs to Bangladesh.
During the meeting, the Home Minister welcomed the delegation to Bangladesh and said that the European Union (EU) is one of the most reliable and trustworthy partners in the development progress of Bangladesh. He expressed hope to further strengthen bilateral and strategic relations with the EU in the coming days. At the meeting, the Head of the EU Delegation, Henrik Nielsen, sincerely congratulated the Minister on assuming his new responsibility.
At the meeting, the delegation was informed about the various reform-oriented steps and commitments taken by the current government to establish a strong National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and ensure full judicial independence. In this regard, the Minister said, “We took power in a fragile law and order and economic situation in the country. As a result of the timely and effective steps taken by the current government in the last four months, the overall law and order situation in the country has improved satisfactorily.” He further said that the opinions of relevant stakeholders and experts are being taken with a view to forming a human rights commission of international standards and the institution is being restructured in such a way that the rule of law is well established in the country, taking into account the religious and social context of the country.
Special emphasis was placed on migration and mobility dialogue during the bilateral meeting. In this regard, the minister said that the current government is determined to follow the ‘Zero-tolerance’ policy against human trafficking, migrant smuggling and all forms of irregular migration. Mutual cooperation will be further strengthened in the safe repatriation of irregular migrants and prevention of human trafficking under the 2017 EU-Bangladesh Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The meeting discussed the EU’s new ‘Asylum and Return Border Procedure’, which will come into effect from June 12, 2026. The minister assured Bangladesh’s overall cooperation in this regard.
EU Director Henrik Nielsen requested Bangladesh to take more effective measures to encourage regular migration and prevent illegal migration and smuggling. He also assured the EU’s cooperation in overall reform of Bangladesh’s security sector.
The meeting discussed the possible visit of Commissioner Magnus Oswald Brunner of the European Union to Bangladesh in October. The Bangladesh side welcomed the visit and expressed its determination to take bilateral relations to new heights.
The delegation included Michael Miller, Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh, Aleksandra Domanska, Head of the International Affairs and Migration Sector of the European Commission, and relevant officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the EU.
