Dhaka seeks proactive role from Thailand, Asean to repatriate Rohingya

NEWS DESK

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday sought a pro-active role from Thailand in particular, and from the Asean in general, for ensuring an expeditious and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya people to their homeland in Myanmar.

Momen also requested participation of the Thai foreign minister and deputy prime minister at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Ministerial meeting in Dhaka next month.

The issues were discussed when visiting Permanent Secretary-designate of Thailand Sarun Charoensuwan met Momen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (Oct 30, 2022).

During the meeting, they exchanged warm greetings on the occasion of the 50 years of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Thailand, which is being celebrated on both sides with fervor and enthusiasm.

The foreign minister said Bangladesh is firmly committed to maintaining cordial and friendly relations with all the neighbouring countries in the spirit of its cardinal foreign policy objective of “friendship to all, malice towards none”.

He stressed the importance of forging a stronger and more effective regional collaboration by facilitating greater connectivity in the region.

Momen called for mutually beneficial initiatives and cooperation to harness the complementarities existing between the two economies.

He requested more Thai support and expertise for improving the tourism sector of Bangladesh, which is endowed with immense potentials.

Momen also encouraged more Thai investment in the infrastructure development initiatives of Bangladesh, agro-processing sector, health, and pharmaceutical sector, to further deepen the economic relations between the two countries.

The Thai permanent secretary-designate lauded the high growth and massive developmental efforts going in Bangladesh currently, which is rapidly transforming the country.

He also emphasized holding the Joint Commission Meeting at a mutually convenient time at the earliest.

He suggested concluding an FTA to further strengthen bilateral trade and business.

The visiting Thai permanent secretary-designate highly praised the interfaith harmony in Bangladesh that he observed during his offering of the Royal Kathina Robe at a temple in Binajuri in Chattogram on Saturday.

He shared these views during his meeting with Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.

The visiting Thai dignitary also expressed his very positive impression of the huge development process going in the country.

Welcoming him on his maiden visit, the Foreign Secretary stressed the importance of strengthening a stronger regional approach to cope with the emerging challenges, particularly caused by the pandemic and the raging conflicts in Europe.

In view of the crises stemming from the food and energy insecurity, supply chain disruptions, the looming threats of recession, he called for more synergies and fruitful cooperation among the neighbours.

Expressing his satisfaction over the successful holding of the second Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) in Bangkok in March this year, the Foreign Secretary emphasised on continuing such mechanisms to maintain the desired momentum in the bilateral relations.

He invited the Thai Permanent Secretary-designate for the Third FOC to be held in Dhaka at a mutually convenient date.

The foreign secretary also sought a more proactive Thai support to repatriate Rohingya people to Myanmar.