EU rules out 'dramatic change' in relations with Bangladesh
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
FE Report
The European Union (EU) ruled out Tuesday a "dramatic change" in relations with Bangladesh as the Lisbon reform treaty came into force, marking the new journey for the 27-nation bloc.
Stefan Frowein, head of the delegation of the European Union, said that although the treaty would spell "big change" for the European Union nations, much less so for Bangladesh.
"Trade will be the same as it was before under the European Commission. No change in months," he told reporters in a briefing in the city.
The EU remains Bangladesh's top trading partner, with more than half of its merchandise exports reaching the 27-member bloc. It is also a major source of the country's imports, accounting for nine per cent of total imports.
It is a major provider of development aid, focussing on health, education, human rights and humanitarian affairs.
The treaty, which creates a long-term president and a foreign policy chief, is intended to leverage its economic might, giving the bloc more political clout.
Asked whether the new emphasis on foreign policy would divert much of the bloc's foreign aid to geo-political actors rather than reaching the nations who needed it most, Mr. Frowein said political considerations should not eclipse development priorities as development interest is for longer term.
"I don't think development priorities will be outweighed by political considerations. For example, climate change will be the second pillar of our development aid," he said.
Of 27 member states, eight-Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom-have diplomatic missions in Dhaka.
Mr. Frowein said Schengen visas would be issued by the EU delegation in future for the potential Bangladeshi applicants intending to visit the EU.
The European Union (EU) ruled out Tuesday a "dramatic change" in relations with Bangladesh as the Lisbon reform treaty came into force, marking the new journey for the 27-nation bloc.
Stefan Frowein, head of the delegation of the European Union, said that although the treaty would spell "big change" for the European Union nations, much less so for Bangladesh.
"Trade will be the same as it was before under the European Commission. No change in months," he told reporters in a briefing in the city.
The EU remains Bangladesh's top trading partner, with more than half of its merchandise exports reaching the 27-member bloc. It is also a major source of the country's imports, accounting for nine per cent of total imports.
It is a major provider of development aid, focussing on health, education, human rights and humanitarian affairs.
The treaty, which creates a long-term president and a foreign policy chief, is intended to leverage its economic might, giving the bloc more political clout.
Asked whether the new emphasis on foreign policy would divert much of the bloc's foreign aid to geo-political actors rather than reaching the nations who needed it most, Mr. Frowein said political considerations should not eclipse development priorities as development interest is for longer term.
"I don't think development priorities will be outweighed by political considerations. For example, climate change will be the second pillar of our development aid," he said.
Of 27 member states, eight-Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom-have diplomatic missions in Dhaka.
Mr. Frowein said Schengen visas would be issued by the EU delegation in future for the potential Bangladeshi applicants intending to visit the EU.