Dhaka seeks int’l community’s support on Rohingya crisis

The government on Thursday requested the international communities for their constructive role in extending cooperation for sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis by sending people of the community to Myanmar from Bangladesh.
There is an urgent need for resolving the Rohingya crisis, foreign minister AK Abdul Momen said in a diplomatic briefing. 
‘Bangladesh has been facing problem in resolving the Rohingya issue. Unless it is resolved, it may turn into a regional problem,’ he said in the briefing in the presence of ambassadors, high commissioners and chiefs of foreign missions in Dhaka. 
The international community would continue to play a constructive role in solving the Rohingya crisis which depends on their safe, sustainable and dignified return to Myanmar, the minister hoped.
Momen also described his experience on visiting the polling centers during the December 30 parliamentary election. 
The election was held in a festive, free and fair atmosphere with participation of voters and the opposition political parties, the minister claimed in his extempore statement. 
He also sought cooperation from foreign countries for economic development and further progress of Bangladesh under the new government. 
He also solicited international community’s cooperation in the field of trade and investment, public-private partnership, empowerment of youth and women.
State minister M Shahriar Alam stated that the new government wants to build on the success achieved so far and expressed his hope that in the coming days the cooperation from the friends and partners would be stronger, wider and deeper.
Fifty five members of different foreign missions attended the briefing that was first of its kind after installation of the new cabinet of Awami League on December 7. 
None of the mission chiefs asked any question when the minister opened the floor after making his statement, said the Holy See ambassador George Kocherry, who is the dean of the diplomatic corps in Bangladesh. 
Kocherry said he assured, on behalf of the all ambassadors, to extend cooperation in achieving progress, development and peace in Bangladesh. 
Foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque and senior officials of the ministry were also present at the briefing.
The ministry distributed among the mission chiefs the English version of the Awami League election manifesto of the December 30 polls reportedly marred by rigging and intimidation of voters and opposition party candidates and leaders. 
Several ambassadors in Dhaka also separately called on the foreign minister on Thursday and extended assurance for cooperation on behalf of their respective governments. 
The EU head of delegation ambassador to Bangladesh Rensje Teerink reiterated willingness of the EU to remain constructively engaged with the new government with a view to working together and collaborate on issues of mutual interests like good governance, deeper economic partnership, Rohingya crisis, migration, climate change, development and beyond. 
High Commissioner of Sri Lanka AWJC De Silva and outgoing Nepalese ambassador Chop Lal Bhushal also called on the new foreign minister among others. 
 

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net