On Wednesday 12 July, during a meeting in Brussels of the joint commission that governs their bilateral relations, the EU called on Bangladesh to address "swiftly" the most recent recommendations of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on implementing the sustainability pact for the ready-to-wear garment sector in Bangladesh through "concrete actions and timelines". The sustainability pact was set up following the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in 2013.
While they hailed progress on safety in the workplace and on procedures for registering trade unions, the sustainability pact partners – the EU, USA, Canada and ILO – called for more to be done to improve workers' rights, especially as regards the freedom of association (see EUROPE 11793).
On trade and investment, the EU also urged the Bangladeshi authorities to move forward in their dialogue on the business environment in Bangladesh.
The parties also had an in-depth discussion on migration. The Bangladeshi delegation put forward its amendments to the EU draft on operational procedures for the return of illegal migrants that was presented by the EU in June 2016. The EU said it regretted the lack of progress in these negotiations and gave assurances that it would maintain pressure in order to conclude negotiations by the end of July.
The parties also discussed issues of global interest on which they could step up their collaboration, such as climate change and ocean governance.
The EU and Bangladesh furthermore exchanged views on key directions for the development cooperation agenda for 2018-2020, notably in the areas of education and skills development, public financial management, and support to social safety nets. The EU called for reforms in public financial management.
In addition, the parties agreed to continue their cooperation on climate change and to explore new areas for work (connectivity, maritime safety, oceans governance and space) and new paths for deepening their youth exchanges and for strengthening their cooperation on air safety. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)