Arakan News Agency
Without giving any direct reply to whether Bangladesh will respond to the call of the International Criminal Court on the Rohingya issue, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Tuesday said they will work protecting country’s interests.
“We’ll work protecting country’s interests,” he said adding that Bangladesh is working for a sustainable and voluntary return of Myanmar’s displaced people.
The Foreign Minister was briefing reporters at the Foreign Ministry on the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Canada.
Earlier, 41 eminent citizens of the country on Sunday urged the government to respond to the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber’s request for observations and supporting the view of the Prosecutor that the Court may assert jurisdiction against Myanmar.
The citizens called on the government to respond to the invitation from ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I to Bangladesh authorities to submit by June 11, 2018 observations on the question and to support the Prosecutor’s request.
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision of May 7 has been made in response to the April 9 request by the ICC Prosecutor, seeking a ruling on whether the Court has jurisdiction over the deportations of Rohingya people from Myanmar to try as a crime against humanity.
About the Prime Minister’s Canada visit, the Foreign Minister said it will help boost the bilateral ties between the two countries. “We hope the visit will be a fruitful one considering all aspects.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her entourage will leave here for Canada on June 7. She will return home on June 12.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his country will welcome several world leaders, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to the G7 Summit to take part in a special outreach session.
The Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with her Canadian counterpart on June 10.
Mahmood Ali said trade, investment, cooperation in achieving SDGs, political consultations, cooperation in blue economy area and Rohingya issue will be discussed at the bilateral meeting. “The two prime ministers will discuss quick and sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis,” he said.
Bangladesh will highlight issues related to climate change, sustainable use of ocean resources, blue economy and Bangladesh’s initiative on women empowerment at the G7 Forum.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been considered as an ‘international leader for change’ in the international arena for her role in constructive changes,” said the Foreign Minister.
The Prime Minister will deliver her speech on ‘Strengthening resilience through integrated adaptation planning, emergency preparedness and recovery’, he said.
The special outreach session to be held on June 9 will focus on healthy oceans and resilient coastal communities.
Heads of international organisations have also been invited to the G7 Summit to take part in the special outreach session.
Trudeau invited President of Argentina and Chair of the G20 Mauricio Macri, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President of Haiti and Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Jovenel Moise, Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Marshall Islands Hilda Heine, Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg, President of Rwanda and Chair of the African Union Paul Kagame, President of Senegal Macky Sall, President of Seychelles, Danny Faure, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Jose Angel Gurria, Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres and Chief Executive Officer of the World Bank Kristalina Georgieva to join the outreach session.
“Our oceans and coasts are under considerable threat – from increases in plastic pollution, more frequent and severe weather events, and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Resilient coastal communities and healthy oceans are vital to growing economies that work for everyone and that is why we are committed to working with others to protect the world’s oceans,” said Justin Trudeau.
He also tweeted that reads, “Next week, we’ll welcome @g7 leaders to Charlevoix to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges together. We’ve also invited reps from the @UN, @IMFNews, @OECD, @WorldBank & other leaders from around the world to work on growing our economies and protecting our oceans.”
The global leaders and heads of international organisations will meet G7 leaders to discuss how to build resilient coasts and communities, share ocean knowledge and science, and support sustainable oceans and fisheries.
They will also explore how to best address pressing challenges, including plastics in oceans and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Canada said it is committed to working with others in the G7 and beyond to strengthen resilience, fight climate change, and protect oceans for generations to come.
As with all work under Canada’s G7 presidency, these discussions will include a focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment, it said.
These leaders and heads of international organisations will also attend a dinner hosted by Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, at the Citadelle of Quebec.
Canada holds the G7 presidency for 2018. Part of this role includes setting the agenda for the year, as well as organising and hosting the Leaders’ Summit, ministerial meetings, and other associated events.
