Desk Report
Published: 13 Jan 2022, 05:05 pm
Representational Image || Photo: Collected
Bangladesh
has urged Vietnam to exert their friendly influence on Myanmar to take their
forcefully displaced citizens Rohingyas back on an expeditious basis.
The
urge was made during a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Dr AK
Abdul Momen and his Vietnamese counterpart Bùi Thanh Son on Wednesday afternoon.
During
the conversation, Momen called upon Vietnam and ASEAN to play a more proactive
role in bringing a sustainable solution to the protracted Rohingya crisis by
helping in a speedy, safe and dignified repatriation of the forcibly displaced
people back to their motherland Myanmar.
The
foreign minister voiced concerns about the growing susceptibility of the
displaced Myanmar citizens in Bangladesh to radicalism, extremism, and trans-border
crimes, human trafficking, drug smuggling etc, which have serious security
implications for the entire region.
Dr
Momen apprised his Vietnamese counterpart of the plights of the displaced Rohingya
people.
Expressing
his satisfaction on the excellent bilateral relations between the two
countries, Momen hoped that the two countries would celebrate the 50th year of
the establishment of diplomatic relations next year with fervor and in a
befitting manner.
Lauding
the growing trend of bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Vietnam, he urged
Hanoi to further increase their imports from here in order to reduce the trade
gap.
Pointing
out to the 100 Economic Zones and the High-Tech Parks, the foreign minister
encouraged the Vietnamese investors and business community to invest in
Bangladesh by availing very attractive and liberal investment packages offering
here.
He
also suggested regular exchange of more technical expertise in order to further
boost trade, commerce and investment.
Highlighting
the growing people-to-people contacts, Dr. Momen noted with satisfaction that a
large number of Bangladeshi tourists are now visiting Vietnam and encouraged
more Vietnamese tourists to visit Bangladesh, which is endowed with excellent
tourism attractions including important locations of ancient Buddhist heritage
and civilizations.
Dr.
Momen sought Vietnam's support in favour of Bangladesh's candidacy as a Sectoral
Dialogue Partner of the ASEAN.
While
appreciating the role of Bangladesh in sheltering the displaced Rohingya
people, the Vietnamese foreign minister assured Dr. Momen of their sincere
efforts within the ASEAN framework for an early solution to the crisis.
He
also suggested activating the Joint Trade Commission and other trade mechanisms
for further enhancing the trade and commerce between the two countries.
Stating
about many scopes for mutual cooperation and engagements, the two foreign
ministers vowed to work towards further cementing and strengthening the
bilateral relations in the coming days.
Both
the leaders agreed to work in close collaboration in the regional and multilateral
forums by extending mutual support in various election processes._BSS