Bangladesh has said Myanmar could agree to create a safe zone under the direct supervision of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) ensuring safety and security for Rohingyas, making them willing to return voluntarily.
"We are now committed to their [Rohingyas] voluntary repatriation to their homeland as soon as Myanmar will create a conducive environment for their safe return," said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday.
He conveyed this to Special Envoy of Prime Minister and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Nguyen Quoc Dzung during a meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka in the afternoon, reports UNB.
Foreign Minister Abdul Momen requested Vietnam to play an active role to get Asean more involved with the Rohingya issue and promote dialogue among their members vis-a-vis Myanmar to curb out an early resolution of the crisis.
Otherwise, he said, the whole region will have to face a threat of instability and insecurity causing deterrence to economic growth.
Quoc Dzung explained the reasons of their voting against the Rohingya issue at the UN as a policy of non-interference and not supporting any issues brought against any specific country.
He, however, indicated the possibility of revising their position on the Rohingya issue in the future.
Quoc Dzung informed that the government of Vietnam will contribute $50,000 as humanitarian assistance for the ill-fated Rohingyas and $50,000 for the World Food Program in Bangladesh.
The foreign minister appreciated the revised position of Vietnam on the Rohingya crisis and expressed the intention for a collaborative approach from now on.
The deputy foreign minister of Vietnam reaffirmed his government's willingness to work closely with the Bangladesh government.
The foreign minister praised Vietnam and its dynamic people for the tremendous economic success.
Mentioning trade between Bangladesh and Vietnam reaching close to $1 billion in the year 2018, he proposed the Vietnam side to positively consider importing pharmaceuticals, leather & leather products, and ships to fill the trade gap between the two countries.
Quoc Dzung informed that Vietnam is working with diligence to hold the second foreign office consultation and the second meeting of the joint committee on trade this year.
Recalling that China became member of the G77 group (G77+China) during the chairmanship of Bangladesh which brought about significant changes to the group, the Foreign Minister requested Vietnam to positively consider the intention of Bangladesh to become a member of Asean during their chairmanship in 2020.