News Desk: Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen has sought Brunei’s cooperation in repatriating Rohingyas forcibly displaced from Myanmar.

He requested for cooperation in this regard during a courtesy meeting with Datu Seri Setia Haji Eriwan Bin Pehin Datu Pekarma Jaya Haji Mohamed Yusuf, Second Foreign Minister of Brunei Darussalam in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh on Thursday.

During the meeting, they discussed various issues of mutual interest and reiterated their commitment to strengthen the excellent relations between the two friendly countries in the coming days.

Dr. Momen is currently on a three-day official visit to Cambodia to attend the ministerial meeting of the 29th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Courtesy meeting Dr. Momen expressed Bangladesh’s concern over the forcibly displaced citizens of Myanmar and called for more concerted and proactive support from ASEAN countries to persuade Myanmar to create favorable conditions for the speedy, safe and dignified repatriation of over 11 million Myanmar nationals (Rohingya).

Dr. Momen also hoped for Brunei Darussalam’s support for Bangladesh to become ASEAN’s Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDP).

In this meeting, they agreed to accelerate cooperation between the two countries in trade, investment, agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, energy, health and medicine, connectivity, ICT, tourism, halal trade, human resource development, youth and cultural exchange.

They stressed the need for high-level visits to further strengthen bilateral ties. Brunei Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato Yusuf expressed interest in the Sultan of Brunei’s visit to Bangladesh, which has been postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Dr. Momen warmly welcomed the proposal and both the ministers agreed to make necessary preparations in this regard.

SK