Dhaka – Irked by the very slow pace of repatriation of Myanmar nationals Rohiynga from Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought help from friendly countries to gear up the process. UNB news reported
“The visible progress on taking back the Rohiynga people to Myanmar is very slow till today. I seek the cooperation of our friendly countries in this regard,” she said.
The Prime Minister made the request to Austrian Federal Chancellor Khristian Kern during their formal bilateral talks between the two leaders at the Federal Chancellery in Vienna on Tuesday.
Sheikh Hasina said nearly four lakh Rohingya refugees have been staying in Bangladesh and the Bangladesh government has given them shelter on humanitarian ground. “Myanmar must take back the Rohingya refugees,” she said.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque briefed reporters onboard the aircraft flying from Vienna to Dhaka carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage.
After attending the International Conference on the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme in Vienna, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned home on Wednesday morning.
About terrorism and violent extremism, Hasina highlighted her government’s zero-tolerance stance, Shahidul Haque said.
“A permanent solution to terrorism cannot be found through military actions. Rather, all will have to work for developing a social movement against such vices,” she was quoted as saying.
The Prime Minister laid emphasis on finding the root cause of terrorism and militancy. “The sources of finance and arms supply to terrorists must be plugged at any cost,” she added.
Mentioning that various conflicts are contributing to refugee crisis, Hasina said such a situation also plays role in creating grounds for terrorism in many parts of the world.
The Prime Minister also underscored the need for removing differences among the Muslim World through discussions.
The Foreign Secretary said Bangladesh and Austria have agreed to deepen and widen bilateral cooperation in various sectors, particularly in the areas of trade and investment for the mutual benefits.
He mentioned that Hasina was the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit Austria as a head of government since its independence in 1971.
About the trade and commerce with Austria, Hasina said the trade with Vienna is in favour of Bangladesh because of apparel products.
She urged the Austrian Federal Chancellor to send his country’s investors to see the investment-friendly atmosphere in Bangladesh and invest in various sectors, including garment sector, particularly special economic zones.
Pointing at the power sector, Hasina said steps have been taken to generate electricity by setting up nuclear power plants alongside the conventional ones.
She referred to Rooppur Nuclear Power plant being built with assistance from Russia and sought the cooperation of all concerned, including the IAEA, to set up more such nuclear power plants.
The Foreign Secretary said the Prime Minister for the first time sought the cooperation of countries other than Russia to set up nuclear power plants saying her government wants to achieve further progress in power generation by using nuclear energy.
Hasina also invited the Austrian Federal Chancellor to visit Bangladesh.
In response, Khristian Kern said his Vice Minister will visit Bangladesh soon.
About the meeting of the Prime Minister with the Austrian Federal President, the Foreign Secretary said Alexander Van Der Bellen showed interest in climate change issues and highly praised Hasina’s role in signing the Paris Climate Agreement .
Expressing his skepticism over possible walking out of the USA from the Paris agreement, the Austrian Federal President stressed continuing the initiative together with all others to lessen the adverse impact of the climate change.
Der Bellen was also keen to know about the discussions during Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia.
In reply, the Prime Minister said, the leaders held talks on joint initiatives taken to stamp out terrorism and militancy.
The Austrian Federal President expressed similar opinion that terrorism cannot be rooted out through military actions, rather a social movement must be developed to resist such twin monsters.
Sheikh Hasina also invited the Federal President to visit Bangladesh.
About her meeting with IAEA Director General, Shahidul Haque said they discussed Bangladesh’s nuclear collaboration with the IAEA.
He said the IAEA DG apprised the Prime Minister that the Chairman of his organisation will visit Bangladesh in the first week of July next.
During the visit, the IAEA Chairman will go to see for himself the Nuclear Power Plant being constructed in Rooppur, Pabna
