Issues related to Rohingya crisis and bringing back of fugitive killers of Bangabandhu will be highlighted during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to Canada to join a special session of G7, the platform of world’s economic power houses.
“Apart from attending the G7 special session, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meeting with her Canadian counterpart where agenda on Rohingya crisis and bringing back of fugitive killers of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be discussed,” Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali told journalists today at a briefing at the foreign ministry here.
The minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will make an official visit to Canada from June 8-11 at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to join “Leaders’ Outreach Session” of the G7 Summit.
Only 12 heads of states or governments including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have been invited to join the special session of the crucial G7 summit.
The G7 is a group consisting of seven largest advanced economies in the world – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“It is clear that the invitation came as recognition of our Prime Minister’s firm role in world peace and development as well as her knowledge, philosophy and steps addressing the issue related to climate change, women and children and blue economy,” the foreign minister said.
Noting that this is the third time, the Bangladesh Prime Minister is going to attend G7 special session, the foreign minister said, “It is rare for a head of government of a developing nation to attend G7 summit for three times.”
At the special session, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will deliver her speech on the topic “strengthening resilience through integrated adaptation planning, emergency preparedness and recovery”.
“Prime Minister will highlight her initiative and planning on climate change adaptation process, emergency preparedness in facing disaster and gender importance in rehabilitation,” Ali said.
At the bilateral meeting with Canada, the Bangladesh Premier will discuss various issues especially the Rohingya crisis as Canada is one of the major allies of Bangladesh in resolving the ongoing refugee crisis.
Other agendas of the meeting include – increasing of trade and commerce relations, bilateral collaboration in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), regular political consultation and expanding bilateral cooperation to explore blue economy between the two countries.
“The issue of bringing back of fugitive killers of Bangabandhu will also be discussed,” foreign minister said while replying to a query.
Replying to another query whether Bangladesh will respond to the ICC (International Criminal Court) letter on Rohingya issue, the minister said they are working to resolve the crisis highlighting two issues — safe repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar and securing Bangladesh’s interest.
Foreign Affairs Secretary M Shahidul Haque was also present.
Source: BSS