Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday held a courtesy meeting with a high-level European Union (EU) delegation led by Henrik Nielsen, Director for International Affairs and Director-General for Migration and Home Affairs at the European Commission. The meeting took place at his office at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
Ministry sources said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. It covered a range of issues of mutual interest.
The discussions included law and order, security sector reforms, prevention of irregular migration, strengthening the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the upcoming visit of the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs to Bangladesh.
Welcoming the delegation, Salahuddin Ahmed said the European Union is one of Bangladesh’s most reliable and trusted development partners. He expressed optimism that bilateral and strategic relations between Bangladesh and the EU would deepen further in the coming years.
The home minister briefed the delegation on the government’s ongoing reform initiatives aimed at strengthening the National Human Rights Commission and ensuring full independence of the judiciary.
“We assumed office at a time when the country was facing fragile law and order and economy,” Ahmed said. “Over the past four months, timely and effective measures undertaken by the present government have led to a satisfactory improvement in the overall law and order situation.”
He said consultations with stakeholders and experts were ongoing to establish a human rights commission of international standard. He added that the institution is being restructured in line with Bangladesh’s religious and social context while strengthening the rule of law.
Migration and mobility issues also featured prominently in the talks. The home minister reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy against human trafficking, migrant smuggling and all forms of irregular migration.
He said Bangladesh and the EU would further strengthen cooperation under the 2017 EU–Bangladesh Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) framework. The aim is to ensure safe return of irregular migrants and combat human trafficking.
The two sides also discussed the European Union’s new Asylum and Return Border Procedure, which is scheduled to take effect on June 12, 2026. Salahuddin Ahmed assured full cooperation from Bangladesh in implementing the framework.
Henrik Nielsen urged Bangladesh to take more effective steps to promote regular migration channels and curb illegal migration and migrant smuggling. He also reaffirmed EU support for Bangladesh’s ongoing security sector reforms.
The meeting also highlighted the potential visit of EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner to Bangladesh in October this year. The home minister expressed hope that the visit would further elevate bilateral relations.
EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, Head of International Affairs and Migration Sector at the European Commission Aleksandra Domanska, and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the EU were also present.
