State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam, MP met the Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshiko Abe today in Male on the sidelines of the 4th Indian Ocean Conference. The Bangladesh Minister thanked Japan for facilitating the very fruitful visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan earlier in May this year. Referring to the MoU signed last month in Tokyo, Shahriar Alam expressed gratitude to the Japanese Government for listing Bangladesh as a source country for skilled migration. It was highlighted that both governments will work closely to deliver on the MoU as per agreement.
Shahriar Alam updated his Japanese counterpart on the latest status of the 1 million plus Rohingyas being sheltered by Bangladesh, including Bangladesh’s concerns about security at the camps. He underscored that Bangladesh needs the support of Japan for repatriation of the Rohingyas in safety and dignity to Myanmar and to start moving them to Bhashan Chor.
Toshiko Abe expressed gratitude that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met all the family members of the Japanese victims of the Holey Artisan attack during her visit to Japan. She mentioned that Japan is particularly happy that Bangladesh has decided to name metro rail stations after the names of the victims. Both sides agreed on timely implementation of ODA. Shahriar requested Japanese support for building a new Railway bridge over the river Jamuna The Japanese side reassured their support and cooperation to build the railway bridge over Jamuna.
The State Minister is leading the Bangladesh delegation to the 4th Indian Ocean Conference being organised by India Foundation in association with the Government of Maldives and S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore from 03-04 September 2019. He is also a member of the IOC Organising Committee. The theme of IOC 2019 is “Securing the Indian Ocean Region: Traditional and Non-Traditional Challenges”.