Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina leaves Dhaka today for Germany on a four-day official visit to attend the Munich Security Conference (MSC) and hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali claimed yesterday mutual understanding between Bangladesh and Germany on different international issues, including terrorism, militancy and sustainable development goals (SDGs), will be strengthened during the prime minister’s visit to Munich.
Ali said Bangladesh will take up the Rohingya issue with Germany during the visit, aiming to mount pressure on Myanmar to repatriate its nationals from Bangladesh.
“We’ve already talked to the European Commission on the Rohingya issue. And of course, the issue will be discussed at a meeting with German Chancellor Merkel,” Ali told reporters yesterday.
Ali said the whole world is with Bangladesh over Rohingya issue while the United Nations has already criticised Myanmar in strong words for persecution of Rohingya.
“We think we’re on the right track over Rohingya issue because the world has realised how much sufferings the Rohingya people have been going through,” he said.
About relocation of Rohingya to Thengar Char in Hatiya, the minister said Cox’s Bazar is the country’s main tourism spot and it cannot be allowed to be destroyed. “We have to consider the environment and also the problem of local people.”
He said Rohingya will not be there at Thengar Char forever as they will be repatriated to their homeland.
“We hope this visit will strengthen mutual understanding of both the countries on various international issues like the emergence of extreme nationalist political forces in Europe, climate change risk reduction, ongoing refugee crisis in Europe, global terrorism and militancy and SDGs,” he said.
Recalling Bangladesh’s ongoing friendly relations with Germany, Ali said Germany is one of the largest development partners and second largest export destination of Bangladesh.
On the sidelines of the Munich Security Council, he said, the prime minister will hold a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel on Saturday.
He said Bangladesh and Germany may sign a joint declaration to pave the way for continuation of diplomatic talks on terrorism and militancy.



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