British FS due today to discuss Rohingya issue

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson arrives here on Friday afternoon on a two-day visit to discuss bilateral and regional issues with a special focus on the current Rohingya crisis.

“You can understand such visit is taking place after a long time. We welcome him (British FS). We have a very close relationship with the UK,” Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali told reporters at the Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

After long 10 years, a British foreign secretary will be visiting Bangladesh. Former foreign secretary David Miliband last visited Dhaka in 2008.

The British foreign secretary will visit Rohingya camps to see the situation on the ground.

The Foreign Minister said the UK has played a very important role in the UN Security Council discussion on Rohingya issue and strongly supported Bangladesh.

“With all these point of views, we maintain very deep relations with the British government,” Minister Ali said.

Foreign Secretary Boris will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali during his visit, according to the Foreign Ministry here.

The meeting with Foreign Minister Ali will be held at State Guest House Padma on Friday evening.

Boris Johnson was appointed foreign secretary on July 13, 2016. He was elected Conservative MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip in May 2015. Previously, he was the MP for Henley from June 2001 to June 2008.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has overall responsibility for the work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Source: unb