Canada to extend full support to Bangladesh on Rohingya issue

The visiting Canadian Minister for International Development and La Francophonie, Global Affairs Marie-Claude Bibeau today assured her country's full support to Bangladesh on Rohingya issue.

The assurance came when she called on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam at State Guest House Padma this afternoon following her two-day visit to different Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar.

During the meeting, the Canadian minister shared her experience with the state minister when Shahriar Alam sought Canada's continuous political support for ensuring smooth repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals.

Over 622,000 Rohingyas have crossed the border and taken shelter in Cox's Bazar district since August 25 amid persecution by Myanmar military in their Rakhine State.

Shahriar recalled with deep gratitude the continuous development assistance from Canada for rebuilding the war ravaged economy of Bangladesh immediately after the War of Independence in 1971.

He underlined that Bangladesh is looking forward to immediate repatriation of Rohingya people to Myanmar in line with the five-point proposal given by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.

The Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Benoit Préfontaine, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Canada Mizanur Rahman and senior officials of the ministry were present.

The meeting was followed by a lunch hosted by Planning Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal, in honour of the visiting Canadian Minister for International Development and La Francophonie.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Chairperson of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Dipu Moni, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki joined the lunch.

They highlighted the socioeconomic achievements of Bangladesh and discussed in detail the issues of bilateral interest.