Bangladesh, Canada find many areas for potential collaboration

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said Bangladesh and Canada are willing to expand the existing multiple engagements between the two countries exploring the areas for further collaboration.

"We have excellent relations with Canada. We have multiple engagements with Canada. They (Canada) want to widen and expand these engagements," he told reporters after his meeting with Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls.

Talking to reporters later, the high commissioner said they had a "productive first discussion" about their "multifaceted" and longstanding relationship.

"With strong people to people ties, a growing commercial relationship and an evolving development program, there are many areas for potential collaboration, benefiting the citizens of both our countries," she said in a brief statement.

During the meeting, she said they also discussed the importance of media freedom, civil society and alternative voices in a healthy democracy.

The high commissioner reiterated Canada's continued commitment to responding to the Rohingya crisis.

On human rights issues, he said human rights are a global issue and this is an issue in America, Europe and also an issue in Canada. "We remain engaged."

"We discussed the issues of democracy as we have to make democracy healthier. We value the opinion of our friendly countries," said the foreign minister, while responding to a question.

"There are many areas for potential collaboration, benefiting the citizens of both our countries," said the high commissioner.

The foreign minister discussed ways to send back the killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Noor Chowdhury to execute the court verdict at home.

Responding to a question, he said the high commissioner is not the authority to decide but she will communicate Dhaka's request with her government.

They spoke about the special relationship between the two countries and ways to further strengthen the long-standing relations.

"We have a long-standing and multifaceted relationship, which has many dimensions," said the high commissioner.

"And we also, of course, spoke about the evolving development partnership and how each of these offers many opportunities for joint collaboration between our two countries," said the envoy.

As good friends, the high commissioner said they also spoke very openly about the importance of freedom of expression, the tremendous value of civil society, and a vibrant civil society.

"We spoke about the importance of alternative voices and perspectives," she said.

The high commissioner also took the opportunity to speak with the foreign minister to thank Bangladesh for hosting the Rohingya people.

"And it was my opportunity also to reiterate Canada's continued support for the Rohingya response," she said.

No more stray mortal shells from Myanmar to land in Bangladesh, hopes FM

Hasan Mahmud said he hopes there would be no further mortal shells from Myanmar landing inside Bangladesh territory amid conflicts inside Myanmar.

"There are conflicts in Myanmar. Amid those ongoing conflicts, mortal shells fell on Bangladesh territory from Myanmar. Our forces along the border remain alert," he said.

The foreign minister said the government of Bangladesh remains in touch with the Myanmar authority and hoped that it would not happen again. "We remain alert."

Media reported quoting the local sources that gunshots between the two conflicting groups were heard from Ukhiya and Teknaf border areas in Cox's Bazar on Sunday.

On Sunday, the foreign minister said, "Situation in Myanmar has never been good. It always fluctuates – sometimes good, sometimes bad. Myanmar is going through such a situation."

He, however, said this current situation is an adverse one for the repatriation of the Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine.

Talking to reporters, UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC)  in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis said the security situation inside Myanmar is very difficult at the moment and it is not a good time for Rohingya repatriation.

The UNRC said repatriation is a priority for Bangladesh, and Rohingyas as well as Bangladesh have agreed on their safe and dignified return to Myanmar.

"We will continue to work in that direction," she said, noting that there is a shortage of financing for the basic services that the Rohingyas need.