Dhaka, Tokyo to work together to resolve Rohingya crisis

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa

Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa has said his country would continue to assist Bangladesh in the efforts to repatriate the Rohingyas to Myanmar.

He made the assurance when Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen sought more involvement from Japan for an early solution to the Rohingya problem.

During their bilateral meeting at the Japanese Foreign Ministry on Monday, Bangladesh placed the issue of the Rohingya problem and steps taken so far including the relocation of 30,000 Rohingyas voluntarily to Bhashan Char.

Momen thanked Japan for coming forward to assist Bangladesh as well as for persistent commitment.

Minister Hayashi raised the situations in Ukraine, North Korea and in the Indo-Pacific and sought Bangladesh’s understanding and cooperation.

Foreign Minister Momen said Bangladesh is a peace-loving country and is always against any war.

"Where there is war be it Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria or Libya it damages life and property which we are witnessing in Ukraine. Bangladesh sheltered Rohingyas on humanitarian ground and supported action for humanitarian access in Ukraine," he said.

Momen was on transit in Tokyo for several hours and left for Palau on Monday afternoon to participate in the Ocean Conference to be held on April 11-15, 2022.

The hour-long bilateral meeting was their first official talk since Minister Hayashi took office in November 2021, according to a message received from Tokyo.

The meeting was held at the backdrop of the two friendly countries' celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on February 10, 2022.

Mentioning Japan as a household name in Bangladesh and one of the largest bilateral development partners, Momen invited more Japanese investments to Bangladesh, particularly in emerging sectors like Blue Economy, Automobiles, ICT, Pharmaceuticals, light engineering, electronics, etc.

The Japanese foreign minister underscored that with the economic propensity of Bangladesh more Japanese companies will be attracted to invest in Bangladesh.

At the same time, the minister agreed to cooperate more in Blue Economy, ICT and Pharmaceuticals to advance bilateral economic relations.

In response to Foreign Minister Momen’s request to provide more scholarships and skill development training to the young population, who are quick learners and diligent, Foreign Minister Hayashi stated that Japan would continue to provide scholarships and skill development to Bangladesh in human resource development.

Foreign Minister Momen also acknowledged the vaccine provisions by Japan which have helped Bangladesh, which so far has efficiently managed the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition, the two foreign ministers discussed important regional and international development, climate change and its impact on vulnerable countries like Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Tokyo Shahabuddin Ahmed, Deputy Chief of Mission Shah Asif Rahman and Director (Foreign Minister’s Office) Emdadul Islam Chowdhury were also present at the meeting.