Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, MP had a meeting with the High Commissioner of India, the Ambassadors of China and Thailand in Dhaka, and the New Delhi based Ambassador of Lao PDR to Bangladesh this morning at the State Guest House Padma. The Foreign Minister discussed with the envoys of the countries having borders with Myanmar about the ongoing situation of Rohingya refugees who have fled their homeland and taken shelter in Bangladesh, exchanged views with them, and updated them on Bangladesh’s efforts and engagement with international community in resolving the crisis. He also discussed with the envoys about the Presidential Statement of the UN Security Council issued on 5th November 2017, and sought cooperation and support of their countries for a sustainable solution of the crisis.
The Foreign Minister touched upon the status of ongoing bilateral discussion with Myanmar on repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas who came into Bangladesh from Myanmar. He further informed the envoys that he can not visit Nay Pyi Taw on 16-17 November 2017 as desired by Myanmar, ahead of the ASEM Foreign Ministers’ meeting scheduled for 20-21 November 2017, since the Foreign Ministers of China, Japan, Germany and Sweden are coming to Bangladesh at that time. Bangladesh Foreign Minister suggested that he is willing to stay back in Nay Pyi Taw on 22-23 November, after attending the ASEM Foreign Ministers’ meeting, for negotiation and finalisation of a bilateral “arrangement” on repatriation of Rohingyas who crossed into Bangladesh following persecution in their homeland.
State Minister for Foreign affairs Shahriar Alam, MP and senior officials of Foreign Ministry were present in the meeting.