BD, EU finalise text for wide-ranging partnership agreement

Bangladesh and the European Union have finalised the text of the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) following the fifth round of negotiations held on 7-8 January in Dhaka and Sylhet.

Mentionable, Bangladesh is set to become the first South Asian country to sign the agreement with EU.

The fifth round of negotiations between Bangladesh and the European Union (EU) on the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) concluded successfully with both sides agreeing on the final text of the accord, said a Foreign Ministry press release.

Secretary (Bilateral) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Md Nazrul Islam led the Bangladesh delegation, while the European Union side was headed by Paola Pampaloni, acting managing director for Asia-Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS).

EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller and senior officials of the European Union participated in the negotiations both physically and virtually.

Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the European Union and representatives from relevant ministries and departments assisted the Bangladesh delegation.

Negotiations on the proposed PCA began with an explanatory meeting in Dhaka in November 2024.

Since then, the two sides held five rounds of discussions along with several technical meetings in Dhaka and Brussels, both in person and online.

The fifth round focused on key thematic areas of mutual interest, including legal and judicial cooperation, intellectual property rights, energy cooperation, fisheries, aquaculture and ocean governance, trade and investment, human rights and customs cooperation.

The release said that discussions were constructive and aimed at reaching a comprehensive, balanced and mutually beneficial agreement that reflects the evolving priorities of the Bangladesh-EU relationship while addressing emerging global challenges.

Once signed, the PCA will serve as the legal and political foundation for the strategic and long-term partnership between Bangladesh and the European Union, strengthening cooperation across a wide range of policy areas.