PM urges Australia to keep pressure on Myanmar

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today sought continuous pressure from the Australian government on Myanmar to resolve the Rohingya crisis as well as humanitarian support for them during their stay in Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister came up with the call when Australian Foreign Minister Juile Bishop met her at her hotel suite in Sydney. 

Sheikh Hasina arrived here this morning on a three-day official visit to join the Global Summit of Women.      

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque said Juile Bishop was keen to know about her country's role to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

"In reply, the Prime Minister called for continuous pressure on Myanmar in addition to extending support to the distressed Rohingyas," the Foreign Secretary said.

Sheikh Hasina said an agreement has been signed for repatriation of the Rohingyas. "They (Myanmar) don't deny of the pact, but are not implementing the agreement," she said.

The Australian Foreign Minister highly appreciated Sheikh Hasina for hosting over one million people of Myanmar. Australia remains very forcefully on the issue beside Bangladesh, he added.

Juile Bishop appreciated Sheikh Hasina terming her an inspirational and courageous leader of the world in women's emancipation and empowerment.

Sheikh Hasina highlighted her government's policy on women participation in the country's political system and parliament in addition to administration, judiciary, law enforcement agencies and parliament.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hasan, Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Australia Sufiur Rahman were present. 

Source: bss