Bangladesh has sought Belgium’s support through the European Union (EU) to its bid for the GSP+ beyond 2029 and for an additional six years of International Support Measures (ISP) for countries in transition in the context of Bangladesh’s LDC graduation in 2026.

The Belgian side assured due consideration in this regard.

Bangladesh and Belgium held the Second Political Consultations in Dhaka on Sunday and discussed the issues.

Additional Foreign Secretary (Bilateral-East and West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Md Nazrul Islam led the Bangladesh delegation at the consultations, while Director General (Bilateral Affairs) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Development Cooperation of Belgium Jeroen Cooreman led the Belgian delegation.

Non-resident Ambassador of Belgium to Bangladesh Didier Vanderhasselt and representatives from different ministries of the Government of Bangladesh also joined the consultations.

The event kicked off with a brief discussion on the student-led mass uprising in July and August and the interim government’s priorities, including restoring law and order, bringing the economy back on track, and systemic reform of the state institutions, among others.

Ambassador Nazrul Islam thanked Belgium for reiterating their support in expressing readiness to engage with the interim government.

The Bangladesh co-chair also recalled Queen Mathilde’s visit to Bangladesh in February 2023 when she visited Rohingya camps and appreciated Belgium’s continued support towards a resolution of the Rohingya crisis.

In this regard, the co-chair apprised of the chief adviser’s letter to the UNSG, requesting an all-stakeholder meeting in early 2025.

Belgium shared that there are growing diverse interests from Belgian businesses in Bangladesh, not only as an export destination but also as a manufacturing sourcing point to invest in Bangladesh by Belgian entrepreneurs.

Both parties also expressed hope of cooperation in cancer research under the auspices of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between NICRH-BD and Bordet Cancer Institute-BE.

The two countries agreed to work together in dealing with improving human rights condition, and the existential threat of climate change in a sustainable manner while implementing loss and damage funding responsibilities.

The discussions were also held over issues about the Indo-Pacific, the war in Ukraine, and atrocities committed in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Both sides agreed that the Bangladesh-Belgium Third Political Consultations would take place in Brussels at a mutually convenient date in 2025.