Spain’s support sought to expedite release of 5 detained Bangladeshi nationals

Bangladesh has urged Spain to expedite the efforts for releasing five Bangladeshi nationals detained in a prison in Galicia province.

At a bilateral meeting with Director General for Consular Affairs Xavier Martí Martí of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain held in Madrid recently, Bangladesh Ambassador to Spain Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood solicited support from the Spanish Foreign Ministry in expediting the release of five Bangladeshi nationals.

The Spanish Director General for Consular Affairs assured the Ambassador that he would take up the issues with the authorities concerned and necessary steps would be taken, said a press release.

Bangladesh Ambassador Mahmood also sought simplification of visa procedures for Bangladeshi nationals seeking to travel to Spain.

The Ambassador said Spain is Bangladesh's second-largest export destination in the EU while Bangladesh is Spain's fourth-largest trade partner in Asia.

Bilateral relations in trade, investment, and other prospective areas are expanding day by day, he said.

Simplification and easing of the visa process would contribute to the expansion of the relations further and reap benefits for the two peoples, particularly for private sector entrepreneurs and businessmen, said the Ambassador.

For Spanish residents, Bangladeshi expatriates are required to produce a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh, rather than by the Department of Police.

The Ambassador said more than 50,000 Bangladeshis staying in Spain constitute the second-largest expatriate community in the EU.