Sajjad Karim, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Mr President, it is always a pleasure to see

Commissioner Malmström in the Chamber. Madam Commissioner, I very much welcome the very open way in which you deal with trade matters in terms of this Parliament and the transparency that we get.

Bangladesh really is a story with two sides to it. One side is a matter for which we, as the European Union, and certainly this Parliament, can feel tremendously proud. We have played our role in helping development, making sure that some of the most disadvantaged people in Bangladeshi society today find themselves in a situation where they can earn an honest living with pride, and this is something which this House really has invested in greatly.

When one looks at the tremendous achievements that have been made, then one has to look at where we are today. It is quite clear to me that Bangladesh, the Government of Bangladesh, is either not listening, or choosing not to listen, or it is not understanding what we are saying. That is why I intend simply to pass on a very clear message today. It is not to deal with the details, as the Commission is dealing with that, but it is simply to say to Bangladesh that we do not want to see a situation where, from the clutches of victory and tremendous achievement, you deliver a negative result. We have done all that we can to make sure that the doors remain open for you. Please take that message today and react in a positive way, so that we can carry on with our journey of progress.