Acting Managing Director for Asia Pacific at the European External Action Service, Paola Pampaloni, on Wednesday stated that the European Union and Bangladesh are expected to conclude negotiations on a new Comprehensive Partnership Agreement in the near future.

Pampaloni made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Wednesday, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing said later in the day.

The discussion focused on the overall trajectory of Bangladesh EU relations, with particular attention to the proposed Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation framework, preparations for the upcoming general elections and referendum, measures to curb irregular migration, and opportunities to strengthen trade and investment ties.

Pampaloni noted that formal negotiations on the new partnership agreement began in November 2024, ending a two decade period under a more limited general partnership arrangement. She praised the interim government’s reform initiatives since it assumed office in August last year, describing the scope of the work as significant and closely monitored by the European Union.

She said the EU places strong emphasis on reforms, stability, and governance in Bangladesh, especially given its role as the country’s largest commercial partner and a key political ally. The progress achieved so far, she added, has been positively received in Brussels.

Welcoming advances in the partnership talks, Pampaloni said the agreement would lay the foundation for deeper cooperation and unlock new possibilities for economic engagement between the two sides.

Professor Yunus expressed appreciation for the EU’s continued support over the past 17 months and described the partnership agreement as a critical milestone for Bangladesh. He said the deal would reinforce long term relations with the European bloc.

Highlighting the EU’s commitment to Bangladesh, Pampaloni pointed to the deployment of a high level election observation mission for the February 12 general elections. She said the head of the mission is due to arrive later this week and will hold consultations with political leaders and relevant institutions.

Professor Yunus said both the general elections and the accompanying referendum are vital to Bangladesh’s democratic transition. He noted that political parties have endorsed the July Charter and expressed confidence that they would support the referendum, adding that he does not expect any party to campaign against it.

Reaffirming the interim government’s stance, the chief adviser said the authorities are determined to ensure a free, fair, inclusive, and peaceful voting process. He said citizens would be able to participate in a genuinely competitive election after years of restricted democratic space.

Pampaloni stressed that a peaceful and credible electoral process could elevate Bangladesh EU relations to a new level, opening the door to broader engagement with the world’s largest economic bloc following a successful democratic transition.

The meeting was also attended by Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed, and European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, among others.