Italy keen on safe migration, stronger bilateral ties with Bangladesh

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said Italy is Bangladesh's most important development partner within the European Union, with wide areas of cooperation including safe migration.

He said Bangladeshis living in Italy play a vital role in the country's economic development by sending remittances, which is why Bangladesh attaches special importance to its relationship with Italy.

Bangladesh wants to maintain and further strengthen this bilateral relationship in the near future. The minister made these remarks when Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro called on him at his office at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Secretariat on Tuesday, April 21.

The ambassador congratulated the minister on his new portfolio and expressed Italy's interest in maintaining and expanding bilateral ties.

The ambassador informed that Italy's current government is committed to ensuring safe migration and preventing illegal migration, with the migration issue high on the country's priority list. A new migration policy will come into effect in Italy from next June, which will facilitate safe migration and make the repatriation process for illegal migrants faster and easier.

The ambassador also informed that the meeting of the Joint Working Group on safe migration, bilateral labour markets and sending skilled workers was held in Bangladesh last July. The next meeting will be held in Italy.

During the meeting, the ambassador handed over a letter of congratulations from Italy's Interior Minister to the home minister and invited him to visit Italy. The minister informed the ambassador that he would visit Italy at a convenient time this year.

The meeting discussed detailed issues including law and order and security, safe migration, Joint Working Group meetings, economic cooperation and expanding trade and commerce.