NEWS DESK
Bangladesh on Wednesday conveyed to Myanmar that the issue of repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar temporarily sheltered in Cox’s Bazar is the topmost priority of its government.
While presenting his credentials to Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Myanmar’s Naypyidaw in a ceremony, Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Dr Md Monwar Hossain said Bangladesh would like to commence the Rohingya repatriation as soon as possible in a safe, voluntary, and sustainable manner.
Expressing his genuine political willingness in this regard, Min Aung Hlaing, also the chairman of the State Administration Council, hoped that the repatriation would commence soon.
He further emphasized that Bangladesh and Myanmar should collaborate robustly to improve trade and connectivity to boost the growth and prosperity of the two neighbours.
The chairman and the ambassador discussed all issues of bilateral relations, including the repatriation of displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar, trade, connectivity, traditional and non-traditional security cooperation, namely drug and human trafficking, arms smuggling, defence cooperation, and people-to-people contact.
Referring to the ambassador’s expertise in public health diplomacy, Min Aung Hlaing hoped that the two countries could cooperate in the health sector and requested Monwar Hossain to meet his health minister to discuss further.
Ambassador Monwar Hossain also briefed Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing on the extraordinary socio-economic development that has taken place in Bangladesh over the last 15 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He also mentioned the prime minister’s “Vision 2041”, through which Bangladesh aims to become a developed country, “Sonar Bangla”, as envisioned by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Ambassador Monwar Hossain thanked the chairman for accepting his credentials and sought his support to work for further strengthening of bilateral relations and to elevate them to new heights.
He wished the chairman peace, prosperity, and good health.
In reply, the chairman wished the ambassador a successful tenure and conveyed greetings to the president and prime minister of Bangladesh.
The discussion took place over almost 45 minutes in a very warm and cordial environment.
Earlier on Wednesday, Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Dr Md Monwar Hossain was escorted from his hotel to the Presidential Palace in a ceremonial motorcade for the credential presentation ceremony.
He was received at the palace by the director general of protocol and escorted to the newly built Credential Hall where he formally handed over his credential papers to the chairman.
At the very outset of the conversation, the prime minister congratulated Monwar Hossain, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bangladesh, and introduced the Myanmar dignitaries to him.
“The chairman conveyed his appreciation to the president of Bangladesh for nominating such a prudent career diplomat as an envoy to maintain the bilateral relationship with his country,” the Bangladesh embassy in Yangon said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar U Than Swe, Joint Secretary of the State Administration Council Lt General Ye Win Oo, counsellor (political), and defence attache of the Bangladesh embassy in Yangon, among others, were present during the credentials ceremony.
