Rohingya crisis: PM for exerting pressure on Myanmar


FE Team | Published: February 05, 2018 18:29:27 | Updated: February 06, 2018 11:36:02


Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina receives President of Swiss Confederation Alain Berset at her office on Monday. -Focus Bangla Photo

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her call to the international community to keep up pressure on Myanmar for an early peaceful solution to the crisis.

The Prime Minister stated that the root of Rohingya problem lies in Myanmar.

Sheikh Hasina came up with the call in a joint statement after a meeting with visiting President of Swiss Confederation Alain Berset at her office on Monday.

"I put emphasis on full and immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Kofi Annan Commission Report," the Prime Minister said .

She said the report will be critically important for the sustainable return of the Rohingya people, in safety and dignity, to their homes in Myanmar.

Hasina appreciated the role played by Switzerland regarding the Rohingya crisis at different United Nations forums and beyond.

The Prime Minister thanked Alain Berset for making his historic first-ever official visit to Bangladesh and termed it a milestone in 45 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Hasina recalled her visit to Switzerland in December 2000 at the invitation of the then President of the Swiss Confederation.

She said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had great admiration about Switzerland for its democratic values, high economic achievement, unique foreign policy of peace, friendship and firm neutrality.

"Bangabandhu, my father, looked at Switzerland as a model and wanted to develop Bangladesh as the 'Switzerland of the East'," she said.

Switzerland was among the first few West European countries to recognise Bangladesh as an independent state on 13 March 1972.

Ever since Switzerland became an important development partner and a time tested friend, she said.

According to UNB, she hoped that Swiss companies will explore business opportunities in Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina invited them to participate in sectors like oil and gas exploration, power and energy including renewable energy, critical infrastructure development, ICT, banking and insurance, and pharmaceuticals.

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