Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday sought support from the European Union (EU) in formation of a police commission and ensuring safer migrations, officials said.
He made the call during a meeting with EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller at the former's office at the Secretariat in the city.
Welcoming the ambassador, the minister said Bangladesh attaches importance to its partnership with the EU.
During the meeting, the minister said the government is planning to form a police commission as part of its reform agenda. He requested the EU to extend consultancy support in this regard.
The EU has expressed its interest in assisting Bangladesh in modernising its police force through training, capacity building and exchange of experiences, official sources said.
The two sides discussed a wide range of issues, including police reform, cooperation in the security sector, migration management, judicial independence, anti-corruption strategies and trade relations.
Ambassador Miller congratulated the minister and described the EU as a reliable and long-standing development partner of Bangladesh.
He expressed the bloc's willingness to further strengthen and expand cooperation with Bangladesh during the tenure of the current government.
On judicial independence, the ambassador said Bangladesh could benefit from the EU countries' long experience in ensuring an independent judiciary.
In response, the home minister said the government is committed to ensuring full independence of the judiciary.
About the anti-corruption efforts, the EU envoy underscored the need for a clear and strong strategy to this effect and said the union is ready to provide necessary technical and strategic support.
Mr. Salauddin Ahmed agreed to instruct officials concerned to identify specific areas of cooperation and maintain regular communication with the EU.
Senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and members of the EU delegation were present at the meeting.
tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com