Bangladesh with UN in establishing global peace: Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday reaffirmed Bangladesh's firm commitment to remain engaged with the United Nations in its efforts towards preventing conflict and establishing peace in the world, reports UNB. "Bangladesh always remains ready to contribute troops and police in response to UN call for strengthening world peace and stability," she said.

The Prime Minister made the remark when visiting UN Under Secretary General for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations Jean Pierre Lacroix paid a courtesy call on her at her Jatiya Sangsad office. After the meeting, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh also remains prepared to support the UN peacekeeping capability readiness steps.

As per the UN request, she said, the government is also ready with "rapid deployment battalion" for MONUSCO, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Prime Minister underscored implementation of a nine-point reform agenda for the UN Peacekeeping operations presented by the UN Secretary General and assured the UN of Dhaka's support in this regard.

While talking about the Rohingya issue, Hasina pointed out Bangladesh's foreign policy of 'friendship to all, malice to none' and said the country wants to maintain peace with all.

"Accordingly, the government opened dialogue with Myanmar to solve the Rohingya crisis," she said.

The Prime Minister regretted that Myanmar authorities agreed to take back their nationals from Bangladesh, but they did not act as per their commitment.

"The presence of nearly 11 lakh Rohingya people is a huge burden on Bangladesh and it is causing sufferings to local people where they have been sheltered," she said.

The Prime Minister said all, including the army, navy, air force, police,BGB, administration and volunteers have been working to mitigate the sufferings of the Rohingya people.

At the meeting, the UN Under-Secretary General highly praised the role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers, including the female troops and police, in maintaining peace at UN missions in different parts of the world.

Jean Pierre Lacroix recalled that many Bangladeshi peacekeepers sacrificed their lives while they were on duties in establishing peace at the UN missions.

He said Bangladesh is a key member regarding peacekeeping efforts under the world body.

The UN Under-Secretary General assured the Prime Minister of continuing the UN support towards development efforts of the government of Bangladesh.

Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt General Md Mahfuzur Rahman and Prime Minister's Office Secretary Sajjadul Hassan were present.

At a press meet yesterday night at a city hotel, Lacroix recognises Bangladesh’s immense generosity about helping the Rohingyas.

He said that the United Nations is fully committed to helping Rohingya people and ensure their safe and voluntary return to their homeland from Bangladesh.

"UN is fully committed to helping these people," he said adding that there is also strong commitment by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres who really takes personal interest in this issue in helping in many different ways.

Earlier, in his meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, he lauded Bangladesh's strong engagement in ensuring peace around the world with its peacekeepers.

"We had a very frank discussion. This was an opportunity for me to thank him personally and Bangladesh for its extremely strong support to peacekeeping and its steadfast engagement in favour of peace around the world," he said.

Earlier on the day, a five-member delegation team led by Lacroix paid a courtesy call on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Javed Patwary at his Police Headquarters office in the city where he highly praised Bangladesh Police for its role in establishing world peace.

Hailing the professionalism and efficiency of the Bangladeshi police members, Jean-Pierre Lacroix said they have been making a unique contribution to protecting peace in conflict-stricken and war-torn countries across the globe, AKM Kamrul Ahsan, Public Relations Officer of the Police Headquarters, quoted the top UN official as saying.

UN Under-Secretary-General said Bangladesh Police will have to acquire more skills in the face of challenges of the United Nations peacekeeping missions. He also emphasised on obtaining fluently in French language in particular.

The IGP said being one of the top police contribution countries to the UN peacekeeping missions, Bangladesh Police has already been able to prove its expertise and capability in protecting world peace.

The top official of the Bangladesh Police urged the UN Under-Secretary General to increase the participation of its members in peacekeeping activities.

 

Bangladesh with UN in establishing global peace: Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday reaffirmed Bangladeshs firm commitment to remain engaged with the United Nations in its efforts towards preventing conflict and establishing peace in the world, reports UNB. Bangladesh always remains ready to contribute troops and police in response to UN call for strengthening world peace and stability, she said. The Prime Minister made the remark when visiting UN Under Secretary General for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations Jean Pierre Lacroix paid a courtesy call on her at her Jatiya Sangsad office. After the meeting, Prime Ministers Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh also remains prepared to support the UN peacekeeping capability readiness steps. As per the UN request, she said, the government is also ready with rapid deployment battalion for MONUSCO, Democratic Republic of Congo. The Prime Minister underscored implementation of a nine-point reform agenda for the UN Peacekeeping operations presented by the UN Secretary General and assured the UN of Dhakas support in this regard. While talking about the Rohingya issue, Hasina pointed out Bangladeshs foreign policy of friendship to all, malice to none and said the country wants to maintain peace with all. Accordingly, the government opened dialogue with Myanmar to solve the Rohingya crisis, she said. The Prime Minister regretted that Myanmar authorities agreed to take back their nationals from Bangladesh, but they did not act as per their commitment. The presence of nearly 11 lakh Rohingya people is a huge burden on Bangladesh and it is causing sufferings to local people where they have been sheltered, she said. The Prime Minister said all, including the army, navy, air force, police,BGB, administration and volunteers have been working to mitigate the sufferings of the Rohingya people. At the meeting, the UN Under-Secretary General highly praised the role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers, including the female troops and police, in maintaining peace at UN missions in different parts of the world. Jean Pierre Lacroix recalled that many Bangladeshi peacekeepers sacrificed their lives while they were on duties in establishing peace at the UN missions. He said Bangladesh is a key member regarding peacekeeping efforts under the world body. The UN Under-Secretary General assured the Prime Minister of continuing the UN support towards development efforts of the government of Bangladesh. Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt General Md Mahfuzur Rahman and Prime Ministers Office Secretary Sajjadul Hassan were present. At a press meet yesterday night at a city hotel, Lacroix recognises Bangladeshs immense generosity about helping the Rohingyas. He said that the United Nations is fully committed to helping Rohingya people and ensure their safe and voluntary return to their homeland from Bangladesh. UN is fully committed to helping these people, he said adding that there is also strong commitment by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres who really takes personal interest in this issue in helping in many different ways. Earlier, in his meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, he lauded Bangladeshs strong engagement in ensuring peace around the world with its peacekeepers. We had a very frank discussion. This was an opportunity for me to thank him personally and Bangladesh for its extremely strong support to peacekeeping and its steadfast engagement in favour of peace around the world, he said. Earlier on the day, a five-member delegation team led by Lacroix paid a courtesy call on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Javed Patwary at his Police Headquarters office in the city where he highly praised Bangladesh Police for its role in establishing world peace. Hailing the professionalism and efficiency of the Bangladeshi police members, Jean-Pierre Lacroix said they have been making a unique contribution to protecting peace in conflict-stricken and war-torn countries across the globe, AKM Kamrul Ahsan, Public Relations Officer of the Police Headquarters, quoted the top UN official as saying. UN Under-Secretary-General said Bangladesh Police will have to acquire more skills in the face of challenges of the United Nations peacekeeping missions. He also emphasised on obtaining fluently in French language in particular. The IGP said being one of the top police contribution countries to the UN peacekeeping missions, Bangladesh Police has already been able to prove its expertise and capability in protecting world peace. The top official of the Bangladesh Police urged the UN Under-Secretary General to increase the participation of its members in peacekeeping activities.