Japanese FM in Dhaka to discuss bilateral, Rohingya issues

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono arrived in Dhaka today on a brief visit to further promote the Bangladesh-Japan comprehensive partnership and discuss other issues of mutual interests, including Rohingya crisis.

Secretary-Bilateral (Asia & Pacific) at the Foreign Ministry Mahbub Uz Zaman received the Japanese minister at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here upon his arrival in the afternoon.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and his Japanese counterpart Kono will have a bilateral meeting at state guesthouse Meghna in the evening, a senior official at the Foreign Ministry told UNB.

There will be a joint briefing after the meeting, said the official.

Minister Kono will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office at 5:30 pm.

He visited Myanmar on Monday before arriving in Bangladesh as the Japanese Foreign Ministry in a one-sentence message mentioned about his attendance at ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers' meetings and visits to Russia, Myanmar and Bangladesh from July 30-August 8.

On Monday, Kono and State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi discussed how to resolve the ongoing Rohingya crisis, international media reported.

Japan, according to Japanese Foreign Ministry, will continue to fully support Bangladesh’s development on all fronts so that the country can attain “newly industrialised economy” status by 2021, through the 39th Yen Loan Package (total 200.4 billion yen).

On May 14, Kono held a Japan-Bangladesh meeting and working dinner at Iikura Guest House with Foreign Minister Ali.

During the meeting, Kono stated that Japan will further promote the Japan-Bangladesh comprehensive partnership and continue to fully support Bangladesh’s development on all fronts.

Besides, he explained that Japan will further strengthen the bilateral relations towards the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022 and requested the government of Bangladesh to continue to secure the safety of Japanese people.

Diplomatic sources say Japan highly commended the efforts made by the government of Bangladesh in accepting Rohingyas from the Rakhaine State of Myanmar and the ongoing dialogue with the government of Myanmar.