Visiting Italian Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi assured Bangladesh on Tuesday that long-pending visa applications of Bangladeshi workers would be processed swiftly, reaffirming Italy’s commitment to enhancing legal migration pathways between the two nations.
During a meeting with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tripodi emphasized the importance of expanding legal migration opportunities and addressing challenges such as irregular migration, human trafficking, and migrant exploitation.
Both sides acknowledged the significant contributions of the Bangladeshi diaspora in Italy to the economies of both countries.
Reflecting on the warm bilateral relations since 1972, Tripodi expressed Italy’s strong support for Bangladesh’s Interim Government and praised its ongoing reform initiatives aimed at fostering peace and development. She also expressed satisfaction with the existing trade relations and highlighted potential areas for expanded cooperation, particularly in the textile and defense sectors.
Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain urged increased Italian investment in Bangladesh, especially in green field sectors, and highlighted the government’s efforts to improve the business environment through streamlined processes for foreign investors. He also welcomed Italy’s interest in contributing to the modernization of Bangladesh’s armed forces, noting the country’s desire to diversify its sources of defense materials.
Tripodi commended Bangladesh for its humanitarian efforts in hosting over a million forcibly displaced Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and reiterated Italy’s continued political and humanitarian support. Touhid Hossain, meanwhile, expressed concern over the complex challenges posed by the political situation in Myanmar, particularly the control of non-state actors in border areas. He stressed that the sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar remains the only viable solution to the crisis.
Maria Tripodi’s two-day official visit marks the first ministerial-level visit from any European Union country since the formation of Bangladesh’s Interim Government. The discussions underscored the shared commitment to deepening bilateral ties, fostering economic collaboration, and addressing mutual challenges in migration and regional stability.
