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BSS-35
PM-CANADA-VISIT
Rohingya crisis to be highlighted at PM’s Canada visit: FM
DHAKA, June 5, 2018 (BSS) – Issues related to Rohingya crisis and bringing
back of fugitive killers of Bangabandhu will be highlighted during Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to Canada to join a special session
of G7, the platform of world’s economic power houses.
“Apart from attending the G7 special session, the Prime Minister will hold
bilateral meeting with her Canadian counterpart where agenda on Rohingya
crisis and bringing back of fugitive killers of Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be discussed,” Foreign Minister A H
Mahmood Ali told journalists today at a briefing at the foreign ministry
here.
The minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will make an official visit
to Canada from June 8-11 at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau to join “Leaders’ Outreach Session” of the G7 Summit.
Only 12 heads of states or governments including Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina have been invited to join the special session of the crucial G7
summit.
The G7 is a group consisting of seven largest advanced economies in the
world – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the
United States.
“It is clear that the invitation came as recognition of our Prime
Minister’s firm role in world peace and development as well as her knowledge,
philosophy and steps addressing the issue related to climate change, women
and children and blue economy,” the foreign minister said.
Noting that this is the third time, the Bangladesh Prime Minister is going
to attend G7 special session, the foreign minister said, “It is rare for a
head of government of a developing nation to attend G7 summit for three
times.”
At the special session, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will deliver her
speech on the topic “strengthening resilience through integrated adaptation
planning, emergency preparedness and recovery”.
“Prime Minister will highlight her initiative and planning on climate
change adaptation process, emergency preparedness in facing disaster and
gender importance in rehabilitation,” Ali said.
At the bilateral meeting with Canada, the Bangladesh Premier will discuss
various issues especially the Rohingya crisis as Canada is one of the major
allies of Bangladesh in resolving the ongoing refugee crisis.
Other agendas of the meeting include – increasing of trade and commerce
relations, bilateral collaboration in achieving Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), regular political consultation and expanding bilateral cooperation to
explore blue economy between the two countries.
“The issue of bringing back of fugitive killers of Bangabandhu will also be
discussed,” foreign minister said while replying to a query.
Replying to another query whether Bangladesh will respond to the ICC
(International Criminal Court) letter on Rohingya issue, the minister said
they are working to resolve the crisis highlighting two issues — safe
repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar and securing Bangladesh’s interest.
Foreign Affairs Secretary M Shahidul Haque was also present.
BSS/ASG/TA/ARS/1952 hrs