Italian PM Meloni Expected to Visit Bangladesh in August

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is expected to pay an official visit to Bangladesh in the last week of August, as Dhaka and Rome seek to deepen cooperation in key sectors and further strengthen bilateral ties.

Officials from both countries are currently working to finalise the visit, aiming to ensure its success, a diplomatic source told UNB.

During his visit to Bangladesh earlier this month, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi informed Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus that Italy is interested in recruiting more workers from Bangladesh and will take steps to promote safe migration.

Piantedosi also conveyed that Prime Minister Meloni is likely to visit Bangladesh before September, as Rome looks to “renew” and “re-launch” its partnership with Dhaka, according to officials.

Chief Adviser Yunus welcomed the proposal and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s willingness to collaborate with Italy in addressing illegal migration and human trafficking.

“Bangladeshis living in Italy are grateful to the host country and value the way they are treated there,” he said.

Meloni previously met with Prof Yunus on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in September last year. During that meeting, she expressed Italy’s support for Bangladesh’s reform efforts aimed at improving social and economic conditions.

The leaders also discussed migration issues, with both sides expressing interest in reviving negotiations for a bilateral agreement to curb irregular migration, enhance cooperation on returns, and promote legal migration pathways.