Rohingya crisis: Germany, Sweden, EU support Bangladesh

Germany, Sweden and the European Union on Sunday extended their strong support to Bangladesh over the Rohingya issue. They also highly appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her great humanitarian gesture of sheltering tens of thousands of forcibly displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh. The support and appreciation came when German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom and European Union High Representative and Vice President Federica Mogherin separately met the Prime Minister at her official residence Ganobhaban in the evening. After the meetings, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters. He said the Prime Minister discussed with them various aspects of the Rohingya crisis, mentioning that it will be difficult for Bangladesh to keep the Myanmar nationals for a long time. The press secretary said the German and Swedish foreign ministers as well as the EU high representative expressed their grave concern over the atrocities on the Rohingyas in Myanmar. "We admire your (Sheikh Hasina) wisdom and humanitarian action on the Rohingya issue," he quoted the EU representative as saying. Federica Mogherin said she will discuss the Rohingya repatriation with the Myanmar leadership at different levels in the ASEM meeting to be held in Myanmar. She said the EU will continue its support to the present Bangladesh government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said international solidarity is very much needed regarding the repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh. She said people across the globe expected Aung San Suu Kyi to be "proactive" to resolve the Rohingya crisis. Wallstrom also said she will visit Myanmar and encourage its government to initiate the repatriation of the Rohingyas. She agreed with the Prime Minister that these refugees should be rehabilitated in Myanmar by ensuring their safety, security and dignity under the UN supervision. Describing the Rohingya issue as a huge challenge for Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said her government has already ensured safe drinking water and sanitation for the forcibly displaced Rohingyas. She said the biggest problem is now child birth among the Rohingyas. The Prime Minister renewed her call for the immediate implementation of the Kofi Annan Commission report to resolve the Rohingya crisis. "They've (Myanmar) to agree and take back their nationals," she said. Besides, the issue of climate change came up for discussion at the meetings. PM's International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, PM's Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, Bangladesh Ambassador to Belgium Mohammad Shahadat Hossain and Bangladesh Ambassador to Sweden Md Nazmul Islam were, among others, present.