The United Kingdom wants its relationship with Bangladesh to be even better after Britain exits from the European Union in next two years, saying that London will remain a champion of free trade. “I can assure you that looking ahead, the United Kingdom wants even better relationship with Bangladesh in the future when we are outside the EU…That is self evidently in our interest,” Simon McDonald, UK Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service, told reporters after holding the first ever Strategic Dialogue between the two countries at the state guest house Meghna yesterday. “Tomorrow (Wednesday) is the key day for the UK. Prime Minister will write the article 50 letter, which will tell our EU partners that we will leave the EU within two years. It is not a coincidence that I am here, because we are more conscious than ever on the importance of our historical relations beyond Europe,” he said.
The British bureaucrat was asked if the trade privileges Bangladesh now enjoys under ‘Everything But Arms’ scheme to the EU market will remain there under a Britain outside the bloc of 28 countries. “It is our intention that our relations will get thicker in the future. We know that you want the same privileges that you have now. We know that this is an important part of the negotiation,” he replied. Earlier, the UK Under Secretary and his Bangladesh counterpart Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to hold the 'Strategic Dialogue' on a regular basis. The Strategic Dialogue involved a productive exchange on political and bilateral issues, economic and development cooperation, security and defence cooperation and current global issues, said a joint statement issued by Bangladesh and the UK.
Bangladesh and the UK condemned the recent terrorist acts in both the countries and expressed sympathy for the victims. Both sides agreed that countering terrorism required global collaboration to address the root causes and to uphold respect for the rule of law and international human rights commitments.
Recognising the importance of aviation security, the UK and Bangladesh will continue to work closely to further strengthen security at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, the statement said. The UK reaffirmed its willingness to provide necessary assistance and both sides agreed to carry out a joint assessment to identify the remaining improvements needed and draw up an action plan. Once these necessary improvements are in place, the UK agreed to take steps for the resumption of cargo on UK-bound direct flights from Dhaka.
The UK appreciated the huge burden that Bangladesh has been bearing in hosting a significant number of Muslims from the Rakhine State of Myanmar.  Both the countries agreed to work together to find a permanent solution to the problem in Myanmar.
Both Bangladesh and the UK agreed to strengthen bilateral trade and to work together to encourage more foreign direct investment. McDonald reiterated that after Brexit, the UK will remain outward-looking and a champion for free trade, and is determined to renew and strengthen relations with long-standing friends like Bangladesh. Recognising the importance of the visa relationship between the two countries, both sides agreed to maintain an efficient and high quality visa service for Bangladeshi nationals. The UK agreed to expand the criteria for 3-5 day priority visa services for Bangladeshi applicants from June 2017. The UK confirmed that all visa decisions are taken by British staff and added that decision making on settlement visas for Bangladeshi nationals was being moved from New Delhi to the UK. The UK welcomed Bangladesh’s commitment to take back its citizens who no longer have the right to remain in the UK and Bangladesh gave an assurance that it will take practical steps to expedite their return. Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque said that Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relations with the UK. “Bangladesh and the UK enjoy long-standing historic ties, which are based on shared values and common aspirations of peace and prosperity,” he said. About the first dialogue under the just-signed MoU, McDonald said, “This is a first visit by a Permanent Under Secretary of State of British Foreign Office to Bangladesh. So, we are celebrating 45 years of our diplomatic relations with our first strategic dialogue. I am happy to conduct (the dialogue) with my opposite number.”