Bangladesh: PM for talks to resolve Myanmar refugee issue

PM for talks to resolve Myanmar refugee issue

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shakes hands with Myanmar’s Opposition Leader Aung San Suu Kyi at the Parliament Building in capital Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. PID PHOTO

 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the  Myanmar refugee problem should be resolved through  amicable bilateral discussion between the two  neighbouring countries, report agencies.
 She expressed the view while holding a meeting with  Myanmar’s President Thein Sein at the Presidential  Palace in Nay Pyi Taw.



 Hasina is now in Myanmar’s capital on a two-day visit  to attend the third BIMSTEC Summit beginning today.
 There are about 30,000 Rohingya refugees living in two  camps in Cox’s Bazaar. The government’s data suggest a further 500,000 or more are living outside the camps.
The previous Hasina administration had decided to do a headcount to ascertain the number of illegal migrants, saying their long-term stay resulted in socioeconomic, political, environmental and security crises in Bangladesh.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Prime Minister’s special assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil said in the hour-long meeting in cordial atmosphere, the two leaders discussed various issues of common concern in bilateral as well as international matters.
Hasina said Bangladesh gives priority on maintaining stability in the region to ensure sustainable development.
Terming Myanmar as one of the closest neighboring countries, she said Bangladesh puts emphasis on further strengthening development cooperation and economic relations with Myanmar.
Terming poverty as the main enemy of the region, the Prime Minister said inter-state connectivity could play a significant role to alleviate poverty and such initiatives would be beneficial for all countries of the region.
She said Bangladeshi business communities are interested in investing in Myanmar, particularly in the food processing sector.
Laying emphasis on strengthening bilateral trade - very much insignificant so far, Hasina said increased trade would strengthen the economy of the two countries.
She mentioned that Myanmar is progressing very fast under the able leadership of President Thein Sein.
The Prime Minister invited Myanmar’s President to visit Bangladesh at his convenience.
Thanking for the invitation, Thein Sein said he would visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.
Underscoring establishing connectivity in the region, President Thein Sein requested the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to join the India-Myanmar-Thailand connectivity system.
He said it would help these countries to increase the trade among the neighboring countries.
During the meeting, the Myanmar President congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her election as the Prime minister of Bangladesh for the third time.
State Minister for Foreign affairs Shahriar Alam, Ambassador at Large M Ziauddin, PMO Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque and Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Anup Kumar Chakma were present.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi—the two leading ladies of the two neighboring countries who are working to give democracy a firm footing in their respective countries-met yesterday, reports UNB.
The political history of the two countries gave the two women a great similarity, but the fate did not give them the chance to meet until today.
Both the ladies lost their fathers to assassins, and they joined politics after the assassination of their fathers. Both fought against military rulers for long to establish democracy in their respective countries.
The meeting between Sheikh Hasina and Aung San Suu Kyi was held in the afternoon when the Prime Minister of Bangladesh went to Myanmar’s Parliament building.
Aung San Suu Kyi, the chairperson of the National League for Democracy, welcomed Hasina and showed utmost cordiality to the Prime Minister of the neighboring country.
The two leaders had a half-hour meeting where they discussed many issues of common interest and concern to the two countries.
PM’s Special Assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil briefed reporters after the meeting.
He said Suu Kyi at the meeting said both of them—Hasina and Suu Kyi—crossed a long path of struggle and movement for democracy.
Suu Kyi mentioned that Bangladesh has been an example in developing the fate of poor people, particularly the rural women and children.
In this regard, she said, Myanmar can follow the path Bangladesh achieved in the sector as it now has become a source of inspiration in poverty alleviation.
During the time, Aung Suun Suu Kyi also introduced ‘Saving Box’ programmes in her electoral areas, inspired by Bangladesh’s initiatives.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, Ambassador at-Large M Ziauddin, PMO Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque and Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Anup Kumar Chakma were present on the occasion.
Source: Independent, BD