Social Welfare Minister Dr Dipu Moni has said that Europe is a proven friend and development partner of Bangladesh.

"Europe is a proven friend and development partner of Bangladesh. Last year,
Bangladesh-EU bilateral relations crossed 50 years," she said.

The minister said these while addressing a function marking the 'Europe Day' at a
city hotel as the chief guest on Thursday, a press release said today.

The relationship has gradually evolved from a development partner to a strong trade
and economic partnership, she said, adding that the European Union is now
considered as a destination of nearly half of Bangladesh's global merchandise
exports.

Besides, the European Union's Everything but Arms (EBA) scheme is playing a very
important role in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, she said.