Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
on Sunday said Britain and the countries concerned about Rohingya refugees
should talk to the Myanmar government regarding the refugee issue instead of
pressurising Bangladesh.
The prime minister said this
when British Secretary of State for International Development Affairs Andrew
Mitchell met her at her hotel suite in London in the evening.
After the meeting, PM’s
Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed reporters about the outcome of the
meeting.
Abul Kalam said the premier
informed the British minister that Bangladesh, despite being an overpopulated
country, is already hosting over 28,000 Myanmar refugees at two camps in Cox’s
Bazar.
On the influx of Myanmar
refugees to Bangladesh, the prime minister said her government is providing
them with food, medicine and even some financial assistance before repatriating
them to their own country.
About climate change, Hasina
appreciated British support for Bangladesh’s efforts to combat its adverse
impacts and sought cooperation from the UK for the Climate Vulnerable Forum and
its activities.
Hasina also thanked the
British government for its assistance for education, health, sanitation,
natural disaster prevention and attainment of MDGs in Bangladesh.
Mitchell appreciated various
successes of the present government, including those in agriculture, education,
health and energy sectors, under the able leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
He thanked the prime
minister to attend the World Hunger Event in London although August is the
month of mourning in Bangladesh.
Hasina said she attended the
programme responding to the invitation of British Prime Minister David
Cameroon, and above all the topics of the event attracted her.
Ambassador at-Large M
Ziauddin and Bangladesh High Commissioner to London Dr Sayeedur Rahman Khan
were present.
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