Bangladesh and the Netherlands today discussed the proposed Bangladesh-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and issues related to the country’s LDC graduation, alongside broader bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The issues came up during a courtesy call by Netherlands Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir at the foreign ministry here this afternoon.

The two sides also discussed political and economic developments, migration cooperation, human capital development, semiconductor technology, education, sports and regional and multilateral issues.

Kobir appreciated the Netherlands’ longstanding support for Bangladesh’s development, particularly in democratic transition, trade and investment, sustainable industrial development, water and agriculture.

The state minister also thanked the Netherlands for its continued support to the Rohingya and host communities.

He reiterated the importance of ensuring safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Ambassador van Bommel congratulated Kobir on his recent assumption of office and expressed confidence that Bangladesh-Netherlands relations would continue to strengthen.

He reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation, particularly in water management, agriculture, shipping, maritime infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges.

The ambassador also briefed the state minister on the upcoming visit of Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma.

Both sides underscored the importance of sustained high-level engagement and stronger cooperation in bilateral and multilateral forums.