Singapore, 24 October 2019

Today, a delegation from Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Headed by the Chairman Mr. Muhammad Faruk Khan,MP called on the Foreign Minister of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore to form opinion for early repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh and to discuss issues related to the repatriation. He was accompanied by other two Parliament members; Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, MP and Mr. Kazi Nabil Ahmed,MP. Bangladesh High Commissioner in Singapore was also present there.

At the outset, Singapore Foreign Minister congratulated Awami League Government for the landslide victory in the last national election. The Chairman of the Committee Mr. Muhammad Faruk Khan,MP explained the reasons behind the enormous popularity are the growing economy of Bangladesh and various development initiatives taken by this government. Then they started to discuss on Rohingya issue and in the beginning Singapore Foreign Minister appreciated Bangladesh’s efforts for providing best possible humanitarian assistance despite numerous challenges and constraints Bangladesh has. Later, various aspects and challenges concerning the repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals were discussed at length. Bangladesh side sought Singapore’s strong support on the Rohingya issue. Singapore Foreign Minister reiterated that Singapore’s support on this issue will be continued and also mentioned that he will discuss this issue in the next ASEAN Summit in Bangkok. The meeting ended as a fruitful one.

Members of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs are now in Singapore on a four-day visit and will leave Singapore on 27 October 2019.