Handout                                                                                                           Number :  706

Japan to support Bangladesh in repatriating Rohingyas to Myanmar

Dhaka, February 19 :                                                             

Japan will continue its support to Bangladesh in its bilateral efforts to repatriate Rohingyas to Myanmar, said Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshiko Abe during official talks with Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam in Dhaka today. Japanese State Minister is paying a two day visit to Bangladesh to reiterate Japan’s efforts in resolving Rohingya crisis.

Issues of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan came up in the discussion. Shahriar Alam expressed hope that Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (Big-B) Initiative will accelerate cooperation for development of quality infrastructure and the investment environment in Bangladesh and will strengthen regional connectivity. He requested to include Bangladesh as a source country for recruitment of workersunder   Japan’s New Immigration Law. Toshiko Abe sought a safe and conducive investment environment in Bangladesh and requested to continue to secure the safety of Japanese people in Bangladesh. Shariar Alam narrated security measures undertaken by the Law Enforcement Agencies in Bangladesh to protect Japanese Project sites and personnel.

Toshiko Abe reiterated commitment of Japanese humanitarian assistance for temporary sheltering of Rohingyas in Bangladesh and continued support for safe and voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar and their resettlement. Shahriar Alam underscored the need of practical steps from Myanmar authorities so that Rohingyas feel safe to return to their homeland.

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Tohidul/Mahmud/Parvez/Salim/2019/2200 Hrs.

Handout                                                                                              Number : 705

British DFID Secretary of State meets Shahriar Alam

Dhaka, February 19 :                                                             

            United Kingdom (UK) is committed to remain steadfast partner to Bangladesh both in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ambition for a prosperous Bangladesh following her re-appointment as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term and in response to the Rohingya crisis including their safe and dignified return to their own country Myanmar. Meanwhile, the British government has pledged to continue its support for the displaced Rohingya people in Bangladesh as well as the host community. This came when the visiting UK Secretary of State for Development Cooperation Penelope Mary Mordaunt had a meeting today with State  Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam at State Guest House Padma.   State Minister Shahriar Alam welcomed British commitment and emphasized the need for early repatriation of Rohingyas. Various bilateral issues, Brexit etc. were also briefly touched upon in the meeting.

            State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief    Dr. Md. Enamur Rahman and senior officials from the Foreign Ministry including Director General (West Europe & EU) Mohammad Khorshed Alam Khastagir joined State Minister Alam in the meeting.

            On the British side, British High Commissioner in Dhaka Alison Blake was present in the meeting. 

            British Secretary of State’s delegation also included Lynn Davidson, Special Advisor to Secretary of State, Evelyn N A Griffiths, Private Secretary to Secretary of State and Department for International Development of UK’s Director Peter Vowels and Head of News Tanya Catherine Holden, Jim McAlpine, Head of DFID in Bangladesh, and Abu Zaki, Head of Political Section in British High Commission in Dhaka.

            State Minister Shahriar Alam also hosted a luncheon in honor of the visiting British Secretary of State and her delegation at the same venue that saw Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni attending.

            Yesterday the British delegation visited Kutupalong Camps in Cox’s Bazar to review the DFID funded projects for the Rohingya refugees and host community. They also held meetings with RRRC and Cox’s Bazar district administration and discussed overall situation of Rohingya camps there.  The DFID Secretary of State will fly back to London this evening. 

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Marzuk/Mahmud/Sanjib/Salim/2019/2040 Hrs.