MM Rahmatullah: A visiting delegation of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Bangladesh today met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. HumaiunKobir at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, with both sides pledging to deepen parliamentary cooperation and Bangladesh-UK relations.

The delegation was led by Ms. Apsana Begum MP, Chair of the APPG on Bangladesh, and comprised Mr. Shockat Adam MP and Lord QurbanHussain, Member of the House of Lords.

State Minister Humaiun Kobir welcomed the delegation and appreciated the APPG’s continued interest in strengthening Bangladesh-UK ties.

The State Minister highlighted the UK Government’s support toward Bangladesh’s democratic consolidation and ongoing reform initiatives. Acknowledging the APPG as an important bridge between the UK Parliament, Bangladesh and the British-Bangladeshi community, he sought the Group’s support in facilitating greater engagement with the UK Parliament to convey Bangladesh’s progress and ground realities.

The protracted Rohingya crisis featured prominently in the discussions.

The State Minister underscored that the crisis has evolved beyond a humanitarian concern, now having wider security and irregular migration implications. He called for stronger international efforts for the early, safe, voluntary and dignified return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Apprising that the delegation will visit the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar tomorrow, the APPG leaders affirmed their support to address the plight of the Rohingya community. The delegation reassured that they would keep their voice high in different international mechanisms, including in the UK Parliament, for continuing humanitarian assistance and for sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland.

The discussions also focused on strengthening parliamentary cooperation and exchanges between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom, along with issues of mutual interest including democratic consolidation, trade and investment, migration, skill mobilization and human rights.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and global issues and expressed interest in continuing cooperation through relevant bilateral and multilateral channels, officials said.