Staff Correspondent

Newly appointed European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller today conveyed readiness of the EU to support the reform agenda of the Interim Government.

He made the remark while paying an introductory courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain at the latter's office, a foreign ministry's press release said here.

Noting the recent students-led mass uprising as an unprecedented opportunity for change, the ambassador offered all-out cooperation of the EU in this transition and reform, including in human rights and good governance as well as the democratic process.

He mentioned that the EU wants to diversify trade relations with Bangladesh with more investment, and support Bangladesh's transition after LDC graduation.

The Foreign Adviser welcomed EU's offer of assistance and assured creating a better business environment for strengthening Bangladesh-EU trade and investment relations.

Terming the relations between Bangladesh and the EU as vibrant and important, Touhid requested for EU's assistance in health and education sectors with particular emphasis on improving technical and vocational training institutes.

He underlined the need for assistance in recovering stolen assets deposited abroad by some Bangladeshi nationals.

The EU Ambassador offered technical assistance in this regard.

The Ambassador informed about European Investment Bank's (EIB's) ongoing investment of 900 million Euro in the rail, energy, water and health sectors of Bangladesh.

He also expressed EIB's readiness to enhance its investment portfolio in Bangladesh.

The Adviser and the EU Ambassador appreciated the upcoming discussion on Partnership and Cooperation Agreement towards elevating the Bangladesh-EU relations to a new height.

The Ambassador reaffirmed the continued assistance of the EU for the Rohingyas in Bangladesh and the host community in Cox's Bazar.

The Foreign Adviser and the EU Ambassador noted that the return of the Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar with rights and safety is the only sustainable solution to the protracted crisis.