Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Wednesday urged the European Union (EU) to extend cooperation in curbing illegal immigration and strengthening border security.
"Bangladesh expects the EU's cooperation in border security and preventing illegal immigration," he said.
The adviser made the remarks while meeting the European Commission delegation led by Director for Migration and Asylum Michael Shotter at the ministry.
At the meeting, the home adviser said that Bangladesh has a zero-tolerance policy to prevent human trafficking.
"Bangladesh is working seriously against illegal immigration and human trafficking," he said.
Some of the human trafficking syndicates have already been exposed to justice, he said, adding that necessary amendments are being made to the laws related to human trafficking prevention.
Mentioning that many Bangladeshis are working in the EU countries, Jahangir said they are always trying to send manpower, both skilled and unskilled, following the due process of law.
The home adviser requested the EU director to take both skilled and unskilled manpower to European countries from Bangladesh.
In reply, Michel Shotter said that the recent internal political pressure against immigration in the EU countries is continuously increasing.
He called on Bangladesh to work on this issue, expressing concern over the illegal immigration of a significant number of Bangladeshi citizens into the union countries.
Shotter has also advised reforming the law enforcement agencies, especially the police, following the country's political transformation.
In reply, the home adviser said that the work on police reform is also underway.
Various issues, including bilateral relations, migration, human trafficking, reforms of the law enforcement agencies and border security were discussed during the meeting.
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