Thai deputy prime minister Don Pramudwinai has reassured Bangladesh to provide all possible support to ensure an early, safe and dignified return of the displaced Rohingya from Bangladesh.
Pramudwinai, who is also foreign minister of Thailand, made the assurance while Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen requested him for utilizing Bangkok’s ‘friendship and influence’ with Myanmar.
Masud made the call while he called on him in Bangkok on Tuesday, a foreign ministry press release said on Wednesday.
During the meeting, both of them exchanged felicitations and greetings on the occasion of the 50 years of bilateral relations and stressed the importance of further strengthening the existing excellent ties for mutual benefit of the two friendly peoples.
Earlier on the same day, the Second round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Thailand was held.
Bangladesh foreign secretary and his Thai counterpart Thani Thongphakdi led their respective sides during the FOC where the entire gamut of bilateral relations between the two countries was discussed.
Both the sides underscored an early commencement of a joint feasibility study on potentials of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Thailand to forge a ‘Strategic Economic Partnership’.
During the FOC, the Bangladesh side reiterated its urge to Thailand to use its leverage in advancing effective engagement of ASEAN mechanisms in a fruitful manner in expediting the repatriation mechanism of Rohingyas.
The Bangladesh side observed, ASEAN engagement in the repatriation process would undeniably give a sense of safety and security to Rohingya which may encourage them to go back voluntarily to their homeland in Rakhine.
The two sides also agreed to create further synergies for a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery and development by properly implementing the Bio-Circular Green Economic model and the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan in the respective countries.
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