ZCZC
BSS-05
AUSTRALIA-MYANMAR-ROHINGYA
Australia to continue pressure on Myanmar for Rohingya repatriation
DHAKA, Sept 6, 2019 (BSS) – Australia has assured that it would remain
engaged with international community to put pressure on Myanmar for creating
conducive environment for safe and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas.
Besides, Australia will continue its communication with Myanmar for
solution of the Rohingya crisis as well as increase its humanitarian
assistance for forcefully displaced Rohingyas living in Cox’s Bazar.
The assurances were made while foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen had a
bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart Marise Payne in the capital
on Thursday, a press release said here today.
The Australian foreign minister was on a three-day visit to Bangladesh to
attend third IORA Blue Economy Ministerial Conference held in Dhaka on 4-5
September 2019. Before coming to Bangladesh, Payne visited Myanmar to assess
the circumstance there with regarding to Repatriation.
During the meeting, the Bangladesh foreign minister expressed his gratitude
for reaffirming Australian support for the repatriation of the forcefully
displaced Myanmar nationals.
He said Rohingyas are fearful to going back to Rakhine state because of
trust deficit and underlined the importance of early repatriation of the
Rohingyas under international observation.
In response Payne said she realizes real circumstance and ground situation
as she visited Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp.
Apart from the Rohingya issues, the two foreign ministers pledged to work
together to promote peace, stability and prosperity in Indian Ocean region.
Momen invited Australian investment in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) of
Bangladesh.
In light of growing business interactions and people-to-people contact
between Bangladesh and Australia, he urged Australian foreign minister to
review Australia’s travel advisory on Bangladesh.
He also requested to resume visa office at Australian High Commission in
Dhaka which is currently shifted to New Delhi.
Momen also urged his Australian counterpart to lift the air cargo
restrictions as Bangladesh upgraded aviation security standards at Dhaka
airport.
Payne assured that Australian side will follow up on these requests and
will report back.
She appreciated economic development of Bangladesh under the leadership of
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
She said Australia is willing to grow its relations with Bangladesh with
greater engagement.
BSS/PR/TA/GMR/1245 hrs