European Union (EU) Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib has assured Bangladesh of applying both political and economic pressure on Myanmar to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
She made this commitment during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the foreign ministry on Monday.
Lahbib also announced that the EU would allocate €68 million this year to support both the Rohingya refugees and the Bangladeshi host community in Cox’s Bazar.
During her visit, she shared her first-hand experience of touring the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, praising Bangladesh for its generosity in hosting the displaced population.
The EU Commissioner also expressed support for Bangladesh’s initiative to organize the High-level Conference on Rohingyas, which will be held in New York in October 2025.
Additionally, she voiced strong backing for Bangladesh`s Interim Government and its reform initiatives, emphasizing the need for new partnerships and cooperation during this pivotal moment in the country’s history.
In response, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain thanked Lahbib for her visit and expressed deep concern over Myanmar’s political situation, which has exacerbated the Rohingya crisis and threatens regional security.
He reiterated that the ultimate solution lies in the safe and voluntary return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar and called for action by the international community to make this possible.
Both sides acknowledged the need for intensified cooperation in disaster management and preparedness, drawing on the experiences of unusual natural catastrophes in both Europe and Bangladesh.
The Foreign Adviser highlighted Bangladesh’s expertise in disaster management and requested continued technical and financial assistance from the EU to further improve these efforts.
Before leaving Dhaka, Commissioner Lahbib met with the Chief Adviser and is scheduled to depart the city later that evening.
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