Dhaka seeks Ankara’s role in resolving Rohingya crisis

by Our Correspondent in Dhaka,

Dhaka has sought Ankara’s added role in repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims living in Bangladeshi camps after fleeing violence in Myanmar.

“Three years have already passed after the exodus of Rohingya into Bangladesh, and they should go back to their own country,” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Monday while inaugurating Bangladesh’s chancery building in the Turkish capital Ankara through a video conferencing.   

“I think Turkey can play a role in this regard,” the Prime Minister said recalling Turkish support during the initial days of exodus of Rohingya Muslims in late 2017.

Bangladesh has been hosting more than 1 million Rohingya Muslims in crowded camps in the south-eastern district of Cox’s Bazar. Of them nearly 750,000 crossed the border after Myanmar launched a military crackdown on the ethnic group in northern Rakhine in August 2017.

A Turkish delegation at that time came in aid to the hapless refugees on the ground.

Hasina thanked the Turkish government for extending support to Bangladesh on this issue and sought its further role in solving the problem.

She expressed Bangladesh’s eagerness to take forward its ties with Turkey saying her country attaches great importance to its relations with Turkey.

The relations between Bangladesh and Turkey are deeply rooted in shared history, faith, and traditions based on mutual trust and confidence, she added.

Hasina joined the virtual ceremony from her official Ganabhaban residence here. Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu spoke at the function as special guests at the complex in the Turkish capital.

Bangladesh Ambassador in Ankara M Allama Siddiki delivered the welcome address at the function. A documentary on the chancery complex was screened at the ceremony.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, PM’s Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus, Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and Awami League’s Publicity and Publication Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap were present at Ganabhaban.

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