Japanese FM Kono in city to discuss bilateral, Rohingya issues

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono arrived here on Tuesday on a brief visit to further promote the Bangladesh-Japan comprehensive partnership and discuss other issues of mutual interest including Rohingya crisis.

Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque received the Japanese Minister at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:20 pm.

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

A joint briefing will take place after the meeting, said the official.

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

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

Minister Kono and State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi discussed on Monday how to resolve 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 industrialized economy” status by 2021, through the 39th Yen Loan Package (total 200.4 billion yen). 

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

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

In addition, Minister Kono 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. 

Source: unb