Japan has proposed to play an active role as mediator in Tokyo taking Bangladesh and Myanmar onboard to find a peaceful solution to Rohingya crisis ensuring their safe return to their origin in Rakhine State.
Bangladesh will consider the proposal as it is looking for the resumption of Rohingya repatriation.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen conveyed it to reporters after a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Tara Kono at State guesthouse Meghna on Tuesday evening.
He said Japanese foreign minister will be on Bangladesh’s side in resolving Rohingya crisis, trying convince Myanmar to act faster for creating conducive environment in Rakhine to start the repatriation process.
“The Japanese Foreign Minister will go to Naypydaw from Dhaka to convey our message to Myanmar,” Momen said.
Japanese foreign minister held the meeting after visiting and interacting with Rohingyas at their makeshift camps in Cox’s Bazar. Kono leading a 13-member delegation arrived here on Monday night on a three-day official visit, mainly to discuss the Rohingya crisis.
Besides the Rohingya issue, other matters related to further strengthening of Bangladesh-Japan ties were also discussed during the meeting.
The two sides agreed to further develop the bilateral relationship through high level mutual visits at different arenas ahead of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Japan in 2022.
Kono sought Bangladesh’s support for Japan’s aspiration to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and for Japan’s candidature for the UNSC non-permanent membership election in 2022.
Momen assured his Japanese counterpart about Dhaka’s support for Tokyo in the election as a symbol of friendship between the two countries.
Momen urged Japan to recruit skilled manpower from Bangladesh.
The Japanese foreign minister will leave here for Myanmar on Wednesday.