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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has welcomed the Netherlands government’s interest in conducting a feasibility study for the Teesta project and providing technical expertise and assistance for its implementation.
He made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation led by Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Secretariat on Tuesday, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Shadhin.
The meeting discussed bilateral trade, a possible free trade agreement with the European Union (EU), water resources management, renewable energy, agricultural cooperation, human rights and the Rohingya crisis.
Tarique said Bangladesh and the Netherlands, both delta nations, had considerable scope for cooperation by addressing common challenges and sharing experiences. He expressed particular interest in Dutch expertise in land reclamation.
Sjoerdsma emphasised expanding knowledge exchange and cooperation in water resources management, land reclamation, char development and climate-resilient river management.
He said the time was right to further strengthen bilateral relations through increased investment and cooperation, particularly in water management, transboundary rivers, democracy and economic development.
The two sides also discussed Bangladesh’s trade relations with the EU. Sjoerdsma expressed interest in free trade, while Bangladesh sought Dutch support in exploring the possibility of a free trade agreement with the bloc.
The Dutch minister also enquired about the government’s initiatives to address Bangladesh’s ongoing energy crisis and praised its plans to expand renewable energy.
On the Rohingya crisis, Bangladesh reiterated that its root cause lay in Myanmar and that a sustainable solution must be found there. Dhaka remains committed to ensuring the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas, the meeting was told.
Both sides stressed the importance of diplomatic efforts at bilateral and multilateral levels to resolve the crisis.
The Netherlands also expressed interest in expanding agricultural cooperation, drawing on its technological expertise and experience in the sector.
Discussions also covered democracy and human rights in Bangladesh. Tarique said the BNP had itself been a victim of human rights violations in the past and that his government was committed to protecting and strengthening human rights.
At the end of the meeting, Sjoerdsma invited the prime minister to visit the Netherlands.
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Mahdi Amin, Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel and relevant officials were present.
