Sunday, May 13, 2012

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni speaks of refugee problem in Muslim world


DHAKA NEWS

Dhaka, May 12 Foreign Minister Dipu Moni says refugee problem imposes heavy burden on host countries, which are mostly developing countries, or least developed countries like Bangladesh.

She made the remark at the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) ministerial meeting entitled 'Refugees in the Muslim World' in Ashgabat of Turkmenistan on Saturday, said a media statement of the foreign ministry.

Bangladesh has hosted a huge number of Myanmar refugees during the last two decades despite it not being a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or the 1967 Protocol, she said.

The two-day meeting, first of its kind under the aegis of the OIC, would focus on the issue of overwhelming number of refugees who are Muslims and also most of the refugees being hosted by Muslim countries.

The foreign minister proposed that there is a necessity of international dialogue and engagement with non-OIC countries to address the root causes of protracted refugee situation.

"While stressing the necessity of UNHCR to take the lead role, the foreign minister opined that the OIC can be a political partner in that dialogue," the statement said.

In a sideline meeting, Dipu Moni met the Turkmenistan foreign minister, Rashid Meredov, and discussed issues of mutual interest.

In their first-ever meeting, they discussed issues including cooperation in energy, textile and agricultural sectors.

Bangladesh proposed to conclude a memorandum to have an assured supply of cotton from Turkmenistan. 

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