President hopes Myanmar will create repatriation-friendly environment

Terming the Rohingya problem a big one, president Abdul Hamid on Monday hoped that Myanmar will create a favorable environment for the repatriation of its forcibly displaced nationals, reports UNB.

He said this when new ambassador of Myanmar to Bangladesh U Aung Kyaw Moe presented his credentials to him at Bangabhaban on Monday afternoon.

Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Pham Viet Chien also presented his credentials to the president.

Welcoming the envoys, the president hoped that the bilateral relations with the two countries will further be expanded during their respective assignments here.

President’s press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.

During the meeting with the Myanmar ambassador, Abdul Hamid said as a neighbouring country, Bangladesh always gives priority to maintaining good bilateral relations with Myanmar.

He expressed the hope that Myanmar will take necessary steps to create a fair environment in Rakhine State for the safe, secure and dignified return of Rohingyas and their freedom of movement, livelihood and citizenship.

Noting that both the countries have much potentials to explore, the president said Bangladesh has a longstanding commerce and investment relations with Myanmar and both the countries should avail these opportunities.

During the meeting with the Vietnamese ambassador, president Hamid mentioned that the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Vietnam are very excellent and are being strengthened gradually.

Referring to the visit of Vietnamese president Tran Dai Quang to Bangladesh on 4-6 March in 2018, he said the bilateral relations have reached a new height after the visit.

"Trade between Bangladesh and Vietnam has reached US$1 billion by the year of 2018 and there is enormous scope to explore the commerce and investment potentials," he mentioned.

Hamid also stressed on exchanging high-level visits at both government and private levels to explore the potentials of the two-friendly countries.

Lauding the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, including the government's Vision 2041 and Delta Plan 2100, the Vietnam ambassador said Bangladesh will do better in the days to come.

Both the envoys sought cooperation from the president during their assignments in Bangladesh and the president assured them of providing all sorts of cooperation.

Earlier, on their arrival at Bangabhaban, a smartly turned-out contingent of the horse-mounted President Guard Regiment (PGR) gave the envoys guards of honour as part of the ceremony.

Later, Bangladesh ambassador to the Russian Federation, Kamrul Ahsan, paid a courtesy call on the president at Bangabhaban in the evening.

Secretaries concerned to the president were present during the meetings.