Press release

European Commission-Bangladesh Joint Commission Specialised Sub-Groups meet in Dhaka

1350/689ZRksa
PR-07/03

The European Commission-Bangladesh Joint Commission Specialised Sub-Groups on Governance and Human Rights and on Social Development Cooperation held their first meetings on 19 and 20 May respectively. These Sub-Groups were established by the EC-Bangladesh Joint Commission in November 2001. Last year in September, the Joint Commission Specialised Sub-Groups on Trade and Trade-Related Issues and on Economic Development Cooperation also met in Dhaka.

The Sub-Group on Governance and Human Rights was co-chaired by Mr. Kazi Mahbubul Awal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Mr. Markus Cornaro, Head of Unit, Directorate-General of External Relations, European Commission. The Sub-Group on Social Development Cooperation was co-chaired by Mr. K.M.S.A. Kaiser, Division Chief, Planning Commission, Ministry of Planning and Ms. Marianne Wenning, Head of Unit, EuropeAid Co-operation Office, European Commission. Several officials of relevant Ministries and Departments of the Government of Bangladesh also participated in both the Sub-Groups. The EC side included officials from the EC Delegation in Dhaka and from Headquarters in Brussels.

A wide range of issues were discussed in both Sub-Groups within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development signed between Bangladesh and the European Community in 2001. This Agreement is underpinned by the commitment of both partners to ensure respect for human rights and democratic values.

The discussions in the Sub-Group on Governance and Human Rights covered topics ranging from the separation of the judiciary from the executive, access to justice, prison reform and custodial deaths to the freedom of the press and media, the death penalty and the situation of the Rohingya refugees. The Sub-Group also discussed Bangladesh's adhesion to international human rights instruments and the prospect of making it a focus country within the context of the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights. Further areas of co-operation were raised, and in particular support to the electoral process to follow up to the 2001 EU election observation mission.

The Sub-Group on Social Development Co-operation had a long discussion on implementation and governance issues related to Government programmes and projects funded by the European Commission. Other issues debated by this Sub-Group included the EC National Indicative Programme for Bangladesh for the period 2003-2005, as well as the Government's development priorities in the years ahead.

Discussions in both Sub-Groups were held in a spirit of partnership and frank and constructive exchange of views. Both sides felt that progress was being made or could be made on a number of issues of mutual concern. It was agreed to keep up the momentum and pursue the dialogue further, notably in the context of the next session of the EC-Bangladesh Joint Commission, tentatively scheduled to be held in November 2003 in Brussels.

Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh
House 7, Road 84
Dhaka 1212
Bangladesh