Commissioner Johannsson announces comprehensive migration dialogues with Bangladesh and Pakistan and gives EUR3 million for Rohingya Refugees

On 10 and 11 November, Commissioner Ylva Johansson will visit Bangladesh, the first by a Home Affairs Commissioner. The Commissioner will meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, several ministers and UN and civil society representatives. The EU and Bangladesh will launch a comprehensive dialogue on migration and mobility. This will include the possibility to increase cooperation in view of launching a talent partnership and increased cooperation to fight migrant smuggling. Substantial progress on readmission cooperation has been made and in this context, should this progress be sustained, the Commission will consider withdrawing its proposal under the visa code mechanism (Article 25a). Commissioner Johansson will announce a further €3 million in support for Rohingya refugees. She will then visit EU-supported projects for a sustainable reintegration of Bangladeshi returnees. On 13-14 November, Commissioner Johansson will continue her mission to Pakistan, where she will meet with Government Representatives of the country. The Commissioner will discuss the implementation of the EU-Pakistan Readmission Agreement, the stepping up of the joint fight against migrant smuggling, as well as the possibility to increase cooperation on legal migration, in view of launching a Talent Partnership. The Commissioner will also discuss the launch of a comprehensive migration dialogue with Pakistan. This would allow for annual discussions between the EU and Pakistan on all issues of relevance related to migration and mobility.