The European Union (EU) has reiterated its solidarity with Bangladesh in its effort to resolve the ongoing Rohingya crisis.
It also wants to see a free, fair, credible and transparent election in Bangladesh, a senior EU official said on Thursday.
Bangladesh has shouldered an "enormous burden" by hosting Rohingya and the EU has pledged its full support to the country, said Gunner Wiegnad, managing director for Asia and the Pacific at European External Action Service.
He made the comments after the EU-Bangladesh consultation meeting held in Dhaka.
The meeting discussed issues related to illegal migration, trade and political development.
The EU wants to see immediate repatriation of the Rohingya in a safe, dignified and voluntary manner, the EU diplomat said.
The EU had provided more than 86 million euros since 2007 to support the Rohingya refugees in humanitarian response.
On the issue of next general elections, he said the EU was discussing issues related to preparations for the national polls.
He stressed the need for an election, which will be participated by all political parties.
He said that Bangladeshi goods were enjoying duty-free access to the EU market under the 'Everything But Arms' scheme.
Some 65 per cent of the total products exported to the EU under this scheme are from Bangladesh, he noted.
In this connection, he pointed out that ensuring labour rights as per the international law was crucial to this scheme and Bangladesh had made remarkable progress in this regard.
He noted that that illegal migration from Bangladesh to Europe was rising.
"It remains a problem for us," he said, adding that the EU and Bangladesh were discussing ways and means to resolve this issue.
Foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque said that the meeting was fruitful, interactive and covered a wide range of issues.
The Rohingya issue dominated the discussion, he said.
