Dhaka wants greater pressure on Myanmar at ASEM FMs meet

Ahead of ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Myanmar, Bangladesh wants to make the best use of high-level visits from a number countries, including China and Japan, to mount pressure on Myanmar and expedite talks for sending back Rohingyas to their homeland, reports UNB. Bangladesh is also expecting louder voice from the international community at the meeting to be held at Myanmar capital on November 20-21and greater pressure on Myanmar to resolve the Rohingya crisis, Foreign Ministry sources here said.

The visits of the Foreign Ministers of China, Japan, Germany, Sweden and the European Union High Representative are taking place just after a key UN committee has overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling on Myanmar's authorities to end military operations against Rohingya Muslims, ensure their voluntary return from Bangladesh and grant them "full citizenship rights".

"These visits just after the third committee resolution will play a supportive role in getting help from China and Japan," State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam told UNB. The same visit of the European Union Vice President, he said, will ultimately put pressure on Myanmar to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

"I hope, their role will help expedite our bilateral initiative to send back Rohingyas to their homeland from Bangladesh," said the State Minister.

Earlier, the General Assembly's human rights committee approved the resolution sponsored by the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation by a vote of 135-10 with 26 abstentions on Thursday. Those voting "no" included Myanmar's close neighbour, China, as well as Russia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Laos.

The resolution now goes to the 193-member General Assembly for a final vote in December where its approval is virtually certain.

A diplomat who is in touch with the upcoming ASEM Foreign Ministers' meeting told UNB that the joint visit to Bangladesh, including Rohingya camps, before their participation in the ASEM FMs' meeting does put Myanmar on the spotlight for its failure to address the Rohingya issue.

"I can assume that the European leaders are very serious about this issue and they would definitely bring additional pressure on Myanmar authorities for Resolution of the issue," he said wishing to remain unnamed.

The diplomat said they might go for a separate Political Declaration, during the Summit or ask regional players to paly a more constructive role in resolving this protracted issue.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Bangladesh on November 18-19 during which Dhaka will seek Beijing 's support over the Rohingya issue.

"This is an important visit," a diplomat told UNB adding that both sides will discuss bilateral and regional issues with special emphasis on the Rohingya issue.

During the visit, the Chinese Foreign Minister will have a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali.

He will also meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the visit, said a senior Foreign Ministry official here.

However, it could not be confirmed whether the Chinese Foreign Minister will visit Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister of Germany Sigmar Gabriel, Foreign Minister of Sweden Margot Wallström, Foreign Minister of Japan Taro Kono and High Representative of the EU Federica Mogherini will be there in Cox's Bazar for a day-long visit on November 19 to observe firsthand the plight of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali will accompany Foreign Ministers of Germany, Sweden, Japan and the European Union High Representative in their Cox's Bazar visit to see the Rohingya situation on the ground on Sunday.

European Union High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini will visit Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar on November 19 and will meet representatives of humanitarian organisations.

In Dhaka, she will also meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to discuss the Rohingya crisis and the EU's support to the country in this context, as well as other areas of the EU-Bangladesh partnership.

The High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini's visit to Bangladesh takes place after the European Union co-hosted the UN Pledging Conference on Rohingya refugee crisis in Geneva on October 23 where the European Union's pledge of €30 million in new funding was the highest contribution among all the donors , and the EU and its Member States pledged more than half of the total amount of pledges.

The Foreign Ministers will go to Cox's Bazar to see the Rohingya situations on the ground and have a better understanding.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali is willing to stay back in Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw on November 22-23 following the ASEM Foreign Ministers' meeting for negotiations and finalisation of a bilateral 'arrangement' on repatriation of the Rohingyas who crossed into Bangladesh amid persecution in their homeland.

Dhaka wants greater pressure on Myanmar at ASEM FMs meet

Ahead of ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting in Myanmar, Bangladesh wants to make the best use of high-level visits from a number countries, including China and Japan, to mount pressure on Myanmar and expedite talks for sending back Rohingyas to their homeland, reports UNB. Bangladesh is also expecting louder voice from the international community at the meeting to be held at Myanmar capital on November 20-21and greater pressure on Myanmar to resolve the Rohingya crisis, Foreign Ministry sources here said. The visits of the Foreign Ministers of China, Japan, Germany, Sweden and the European Union High Representative are taking place just after a key UN committee has overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling on Myanmars authorities to end military operations against Rohingya Muslims, ensure their voluntary return from Bangladesh and grant them full citizenship rights. These visits just after the third committee resolution will play a supportive role in getting help from China and Japan, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam told UNB. The same visit of the European Union Vice President, he said, will ultimately put pressure on Myanmar to resolve the Rohingya crisis. I hope, their role will help expedite our bilateral initiative to send back Rohingyas to their homeland from Bangladesh, said the State Minister. Earlier, the General Assemblys human rights committee approved the resolution sponsored by the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation by a vote of 135-10 with 26 abstentions on Thursday. Those voting no included Myanmars close neighbour, China, as well as Russia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Laos. The resolution now goes to the 193-member General Assembly for a final vote in December where its approval is virtually certain. A diplomat who is in touch with the upcoming ASEM Foreign Ministers meeting told UNB that the joint visit to Bangladesh, including Rohingya camps, before their participation in the ASEM FMs meeting does put Myanmar on the spotlight for its failure to address the Rohingya issue. I can assume that the European leaders are very serious about this issue and they would definitely bring additional pressure on Myanmar authorities for Resolution of the issue, he said wishing to remain unnamed. The diplomat said they might go for a separate Political Declaration, during the Summit or ask regional players to paly a more constructive role in resolving this protracted issue. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Bangladesh on November 18-19 during which Dhaka will seek Beijing s support over the Rohingya issue. This is an important visit, a diplomat told UNB adding that both sides will discuss bilateral and regional issues with special emphasis on the Rohingya issue. During the visit, the Chinese Foreign Minister will have a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali. He will also meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the visit, said a senior Foreign Ministry official here. However, it could not be confirmed whether the Chinese Foreign Minister will visit Rohingya camps in Coxs Bazar. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister of Germany Sigmar Gabriel, Foreign Minister of Sweden Margot Wallstrouml;m, Foreign Minister of Japan Taro Kono and High Representative of the EU Federica Mogherini will be there in Coxs Bazar for a day-long visit on November 19 to observe firsthand the plight of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh. Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali will accompany Foreign Ministers of Germany, Sweden, Japan and the European Union High Representative in their Coxs Bazar visit to see the Rohingya situation on the ground on Sunday. European Union High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini will visit Rohingya camps in Coxs Bazar on November 19 and will meet representatives of humanitarian organisations. In Dhaka, she will also meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to discuss the Rohingya crisis and the EUs support to the country in this context, as well as other areas of the EU-Bangladesh partnership. The High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherinis visit to Bangladesh takes place after the European Union co-hosted the UN Pledging Conference on Rohingya refugee crisis in Geneva on October 23 where the European Unions pledge of euro;30 million in new funding was the highest contribution among all the donors , and the EU and its Member States pledged more than half of the total amount of pledges. The Foreign Ministers will go to Coxs Bazar to see the Rohingya situations on the ground and have a better understanding. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali is willing to stay back in Myanmars capital Nay Pyi Taw on November 22-23 following the ASEM Foreign Ministers meeting for negotiations and finalisation of a bilateral arrangement on repatriation of the Rohingyas who crossed into Bangladesh amid persecution in their homeland.