Dhaka seeks more global pressure for Rohingya’s return
Dhaka sought more pressure from the international community to ensure safe return of Rohingyas who took shelter in Bangladesh after fleeing persecution in their homeland Myanmar, reports BSS.
“We urge the international community to continue to step up pressure on Myanmar authorities so that the Rohingyas can return to their ancestral homes in Myanmar in safety, dignity and sustainable livelihood,” State Minister for Foreign Md. Shahriar Alam told a programme last night.
Shahriar was addressing as the chief guest a reception, marking the National Day of the Republic of France, held at the Franco-German Joint Embassy in the capital city.
Referring to the existing Rohingya crisis, he said Bangladesh as a responsive and responsible state and under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave shelter to more than one million Rohingya population who fled violence and atrocities in the Northern Rakhine State of Myanmar.
“We appreciate the strong support, both humanitarian and political, extended by the French Government in response to the Rohingya crisis. We also appreciate the role played by French President Emmanuel Macron, personally and his government collectively through the European Union and the United Nations Security Council to find a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar,” the state minister said.
About the upcoming general election, Shahriar said the Bangladesh government is confident that the Election Commission, with the support of all the political parties, administration and other stakeholders, will be able to hold inclusive, fair and neutral general elections by the end of 2018.
The state minister expressed his happiness that many French multinational-companies are engaged in Bangladesh. French Company “Lafarge-Surma” is having one of the largest FDI in Bangladesh while Thales Alenia Space has built the Bangladesh’s first satellite, “Bangabandhu Satellite-1”, he added.
He also noted bilateral trade between the two countries experienced a steady growth in the last decade and crossed two billion dollar mark last year.
Shahriar mentioned that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is now marching towards the materialisation of Vision 2021, a roadmap to convert it in to a middle income country by 2021 and Vision 2041, a road map to turn Bangladesh into a developed country by 2041.
In this endeavour, he said, the support from the international community, particularly from France, as an old and time tested friend, has always been a major strength for Bangladesh and her people.
French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie-Annick Bourdin also spoke on the occasion.
