DHAKA, Jan 13, 2022 (BSS) - Bangladesh has urged Vietnam to exert their
friendly influence on Myanmar to take their forcefully displaced citizens
Rohingyas back on an expeditious basis.

  The urge was made during a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister
Dr AK Abdul Momen and his Vietnamese counterpart Bùi Thanh Son on Wednesday
afternoon.

   During the conversation, Momen called upon Vietnam and ASEAN to play a
more proactive role in bringing a sustainable solution to the protracted
Rohingya crisis by helping in a speedy, safe and dignified repatriation of
the forcibly displaced people back to their motherland Myanmar.

   The foreign minister voiced concerns about the growing susceptibility of
the displaced Myanmar citizens in Bangladesh to radicalism, extremism, trans-
border crimes, human trafficking, drug smuggling etc, which have serious
security implications for the entire region.

  Dr Momen apprised his Vietnamese counterpart of the plights of the
displaced Rohingya people.

   Expressing his satisfaction on the excellent bilateral relations between
the two countries, Momen hoped that the two countries would celebrate the
50th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year with fervor
and in a befitting manner.

  Lauding the growing trend of bilateral trade between Bangladesh and
Vietnam, he urged Hanoi to further increase their imports from here in order
to reduce the trade gap.

   Pointing out to the 100 Economic Zones and the High-Tech Parks, the
foreign minister encouraged the Vietnamese investors and business community
to invest in Bangladesh by availing very attractive and liberal investment
packages offering here.

  He also suggested regular exchange of more technical expertise in order to
further boost trade, commerce and investment.

  Highlighting the growing people-to-people contacts, Dr. Momen noted with
satisfaction that a large number of Bangladeshi tourists are now visiting
Vietnam and encouraged more Vietnamese tourists to visit Bangladesh, which is
endowed with excellent tourism attractions including important locations of
ancient Buddhist heritage and civilizations.

  Dr. Momen sought Vietnam's support in favour of Bangladesh's candidacy as a
Sectoral Dialogue Partner of the ASEAN.

  While appreciating the role of Bangladesh in sheltering the displaced
Rohingya people, the Vietnamese foreign minister assured Dr. Momen of their
sincere efforts within the ASEAN framework for an early solution to the
crisis.

  He also suggested activating the Joint Trade Commission and other trade
mechanisms for further enhancing the trade and commerce between the two
countries.

  Stating about many scopes for mutual cooperation and engagements, the two
foreign ministers vowed to work towards further cementing and strengthening
the bilateral relations in the coming days.

  Both the leaders agreed to work in close collaboration in the regional and
multilateral forums by extending mutual support in various election
processes.