Staff Reporter:
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has said that there can be no lasting peace and stability in Myanmar without resolving the Rohingya issue.
He made the remarks at a bilateral meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa in Bangkok, said a foreign ministry’s press release on Friday.
The two foreign ministers met on the sideline of the Informal Consultation on Myanmar hosted by the Thai Foreign Minister and joined by high-level representatives of Bangladesh, China, India, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand.
Touhid reiterated his call for a comprehensive roadmap for the voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar.
He underscored the importance of restoring peace and security in Rakhine State where the situation is getting increasingly precarious for the Rohingya based there.
Touhid suggested that ASEAN Member States develop a viable mechanism to ensure safety and security for the Rohingya in Rakhine State upon their eventual repatriation.
He also called for enlisting the support of other friendly countries to help provide employment and livelihood support for the Rohingya for their sustainable return.
“The Rohingya crisis is already having a serious impact on regional security and will get aggravated further if allowed to fester for too long,” Touhid said.
He flagged the recent appointment of the High Representative of the Bangladesh chief adviser on Rohingya issues to underline the priority the Interim government attaches to resolving the crisis.
The Thai Foreign Minister thanked the Bangladesh Adviser for attending the informal consultation and expressed satisfaction at the constructive discussions.
Both leaders acknowledged the benefit of such informal dialogues to share views and suggestions in a candid and cordial manner.
They also discussed the potential for enhancing trade and connectivity between Bangladesh and Thailand.
The foreign adviser and the minister agreed that seamless connectivity between South and Southeast Asia also requires lasting peace and stability in Myanmar to bridge the gap that remains.
The Thai Foreign Minister sought Bangladesh’s support in operationalizing the coastal shipping arrangement between Ranong and Chattogram Ports, as desired by business communities on both sides.
Maris also expressed interest in working together with Bangladesh in the fisheries sector.
He reiterated Thailand’s readiness to contribute to food security in the BIMSTEC region.
The Bangladesh Adviser conveyed support for Thailand’s decision to host the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit in the second quarter next year.
Adviser Touhid mentioned the increased volume of spending by Bangladeshi nationals in Thailand in recent months, citing the Bangladesh Bank data.
He requested Thailand to explore possibilities for further easing the visa procedures for Bangladeshis.
They noted that visa waiver for official passport holders came into effect on 19 December 2024.
They also acknowledged Thailand’s decision to introduce e-visa facilities for Bangladeshis from January 2025.
At a separate event, Adviser Touhid today handed over a consignment of winter clothes and dry food from Bangladeshi manufacturers to Ambassador Tej Bunnag, Secretary General of the Thai Red Cross Society.
Ambassador Bunnag thanked the Bangladesh Adviser for the donations and assured of sharing the items with those in need in the recently flood-affected northern parts of Thailand.
The two of them exchanged views on sharing experience and expertise between the Red Cross/ Red Crescent Societies, including on governance.
They also discussed some relevant regional issues, including the Rohingya humanitarian situation.
Secretary General Bunnag thanked the Embassy of Bangladesh in Bangkok for organizing a blood donation event this month to mark the Victory Day-2024.
During his three-day visit to Bangkok, The foreign affairs adviser also met and interacted with a section of the Bangladesh expatriate community to observe the International Migrants Day and National Expatriates Day-2024.
He rounded off this trip with a visit to the Embassy in Bangkok and discussed a range of issues including consular and welfare matters involving Bangladesh nationals in Thailand and Cambodia.
