Rohingya crisis: President seeks stronger role from UK

President Abdul Hamid has sought stronger role and sustained cooperation from the United Kingdom (UK) in solving the Rohingya crisis.

The President came up with the call when outgoing UK High Commissioner to Bangladesh Alison Blake made a courtesy call on him at his official residence Bangabhaban in the capital on Wednesday afternoon.

Joynal Abedin, press secretary of the President, briefed reporters after the meeting.

The press secretary said that the President referred to the long-standing and historic relations between Bangladesh and the UK, especially during the historic 1971 Liberation War, before seeking continued cooperation from the UK.

Abdul Hamid said around six lakh non-resident Bangladeshis (NRB) in the UK are now playing a very important role for the socio-economic development of the two countries.

The head of the state hoped that the ongoing development trend in different sectors, including commerce and investment, would continue in days to come.

The British high commissioner expressed her gratefulness to the President for providing all-out cooperation during her assignment in Bangladesh.

Expressing satisfaction over the existing relations between the two countries, she highly appreciated Bangladesh’s ongoing socio-economic development trend in line with the Vision 2021 and Vision 2041 of the government.

The UK envoy said the Rohingya issue is a big problem for Bangladesh.

She, however, assured of standing beside Bangladesh to end the crisis.