Diplomatic Desk:
The European Union (EU) Delegation to Bangladesh celebrated ‘Europe Day 2026’ with a grand ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel in Dhaka on Saturday (May 9, 2026). Bangladesh Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury was present as the chief guest at the event.
The event was presided over by European Union Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Bangladesh Michael Miller. Ambassadors, diplomats, senior government officials, businessmen, development partners and dignitaries from various countries also participated in the event. Representatives from various countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark and Canada were present at the event.
In his speech as the chief guest, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury emphasized on further strengthening Bangladesh’s multidimensional relations with the European Union. He said that the historic Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950 laid the foundation for European solidarity and later the institutional framework of the European Union was further consolidated through the Maastricht Treaty of 1992.
He said that the new journey of cooperation, mutual trust and shared prosperity that Europe embarked on in the post-World War II period has today established itself as a unique example of regional solidarity, stability and a rules-based international system in the world.
The Finance Minister appreciated the support of the European Union in Bangladesh’s democratic transition and said that the deployment of a large EU election observation team to observe the 30th National Assembly elections in Bangladesh was very significant. He also mentioned that the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is keen to further expand the existing partnership with the EU on the basis of mutual interests and shared responsibilities.
He said that currently, Bangladesh-EU relations stand on a multi-dimensional foundation such as trade, investment, development cooperation, combating climate change, increasing connectivity and people-to-people relations. The European Union is Bangladesh’s largest export destination and is grateful for the Everything But Arms (EBA) facility.
The Finance Minister also said that Bangladesh is keen to start negotiations with the European Union on a future-oriented Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the context of LDC transition. He also called for increasing investment and technical cooperation in green energy, sustainable infrastructure and digital connectivity under the EU’s ‘Global Gateway Initiative’.
In his speech, the European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller said that the EU member states have created a “European Village” in Dhaka by combining their culture, innovation and heritage, which is a reflection of the European Union’s “Unity in Diversity”.
He said in Bengali, “Welcome, Bangladesh and our improved EU-Bangladesh relations.”
The Ambassador said that Bangladesh has returned to the democratic path in the past one year and the negotiations on the Bangladesh-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) have been finalized. He said that deepening and broadening this relationship is a strategic step towards human rights, rule of law, independence of the judiciary and creating new opportunities for young people.
He said that as part of Bangladesh’s preparations for LDC transition, the European Union will organize the first Bangladesh-EU Business Forum later this year to ensure a “level playing field” and increase foreign investment.
The event also launched the “I Am the Future” skills campaign as part of the European Union’s “Global Gateway Initiative”. The initiative will help Bangladesh’s youth build a digital, green and globally connected future, the Ambassador said.
He also said that despite the rapidly changing global situation, the European Union will remain a reliable partner of Bangladesh in addressing global challenges such as international law, universal values, rules-based trade, security, migration and climate change.
At the end of the event, Ambassador Michael Miller thanked the representatives of EU member states, honorary consuls and officials of the European Union Delegation working in Bangladesh.
The colorful event attracted guests with various exhibitions of European food, culture and innovation. Participants at the event expressed their determination to make Bangladesh-EU relations stronger and more multidimensional.
