Germany, Sweden and EU extend support to Bangladesh on Rohingya issue

Germany, Sweden and the European Union extended their strong support to Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue.

They also highly appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her great humanitarian gesture of sheltering tens of thousands of forcibly displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh.

The support and appreciation came when German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom and European Union High Representative and Vice President Federica Mogherin separately called on the prime minister at her official Ganabhaban residence here this evening.

After the meetings, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

He said the prime minister discussed with them about various aspects of the Rohingya crisis and said it will be difficult for Bangladesh to keep them for a long time.

The press secretary said the German and Swedish foreign ministers as well as the EU high representative expressed their grave concern over the atrocities on the Rohingya people in Myanmar.

"We admire your (Sheikh Hasina) wisdom and humanitarian action on the Rohingya issue," the press secretary quoted the EU representative as saying.

Federica Mogherin said in the ASEM meeting to be held in Myanmar, she will discuss with the Myanmar leadership at different levels on the Rohingya repatriation.

She said the EU will continue support to the present Bangladesh government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said that international solidarity is very much needed on the repatriation of Rohingya people from Bangladesh.

She said that people across the globe expected Aung San Suu Kyi to be "proactive" to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

She, however, said she would visit Myanmar and encourage the government of Myanmar to initiate repatriation of the Rohingyas.

The Swedish foreign minister also agreed with the prime minister that these refugees should be rehabilitated in Myanmar by ensuring safety, security and dignity under the UN supervision.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the Rohingya issue is a huge challenge for Bangladesh adding that her government has already ensured safe drinking water and sanitation for the forcibly displaced Rohingyas.

She said that the biggest problem is now child birth among the Rohingyas.

Sheikh Hasina also renewed her call to the immediate implementation of the Kofi Annan Commission report to resolve the Rohingya crisis. "They've (Myanmar) to agree and take back their nationals," she said.

Besides, the issue of climate change also came up for discussion in the meetings.

PM's International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, PM's Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, Bangladesh Ambassador to Belgium Mohammad Shahadat Hossain and Bangladesh Ambassador to Sweden Md Nazmul Islam were present, among others.

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol