Momen urges Brunei to focus more on Rohingya solution

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday urged Brunei to put more focused efforts on part of the ASEAN for bringing about a durable and permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis, reports BSS. 

He made the call during a video call with his Bruneian counterpart Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof.  

During the conversation, Dr Momen shared his apprehensions of the potential security risks not only for Bangladesh but also for South Asia and the southeast Asian region if the Rohingya crisis is left festering any longer.

The foreign minister said Bangladesh attaches high importance to its warm relations with Brunei.

During the talk, both ministers reviewed the important aspects of existing bilateral relations and agreed to explore new areas of cooperation for further cementing the relations.

The Bangladesh foreign minister reiterated his call to Myanmar for taking necessary confidence-building measures to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of the displaced Rohingya people to Rakhine state in Myanmar.   

Recognizing the huge burden imposed on Bangladesh due to the Rohingya crisis, Dato Erywan Yusof expressed his full sympathy and observed that the situation was unfair to Bangladesh.

He also expressed the hope that all sides in Myanmar would remain committed to the mechanism agreed for the repatriation of the displaced people back to Myanmar and would work sincerely for bringing a sustainable solution to this crisis.

Narrating the phenomenal socio-economic development Bangladesh achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Momen stressed the importance of accelerating the pace of bilateral trade and commerce, which currently is far below its potential.

Highlighting the attractive investment packages, and the opportunities offered by the 100 economic zones, Momen encouraged Bruneian investors and business community to avail these opportunities for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly people.

The Bangladesh foreign minister specially referred to the opportunities for the Bruneian entrepreneurs in the areas of ICT and digital economy, agro-processing and fisheries.  

Dato Erywan Yusof expressed his keen interest in the import of Bangladeshi mangoes and emphasized concluding an Air Service Agreement for facilitating Bangladesh-Brunei bilateral trade.