Hindustan Surkhiyan Desk:Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull yesterday assured his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina of continuing support to Bangladesh for resolving the Rohingya crisis.
He gave the assurance at a meeting with Hasina at his Sydney residence, PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim told reporters after the meeting.
The Australian premier said his country would continue to put pressure on Myanmar for taking back Rohingyas.
Hasina informed Turnbull of her government’s steps taken for giving temporary shelter to the Rohingyas as well as its future plans in this regard.
The two leaders discussed issues of bilateral trade and investment and agreed to find viable means to boost their cooperation.
Hasina invited the Australian PM to visit Bangladesh, and he accepted the invitation, Ihsanul said, adding that he would visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali was present at the meeting.
SUPPORT SOUGHT FOR ECONOMIC PROGRESS
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday sought Australian cooperation on human resources as Bangladesh is going to the next stage of development through graduation from the LDC.
“As Bangladesh is going to the next stage of development through graduation from LDC, we need greater human capacity where Australia can contribute by providing training-type programmes and vocational education,” she said.
While visiting Western Sydney University, the PM also sought Australian cooperation in developing an inclusive and people-centric blue economy.
Hasina sought technical assistance for development of Bangladesh’s marine aquaculture and exchange of teachers on oceanography.
She urged Bangladeshi students studying at the university to take advantage of the best knowledge that the institution could offer.
She said she was deeply touched at the establishment of a bust of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the Sydney university campus. “The bust is rightly located in front of the Institute of Ocean Governance (ICOG) to recognise Bangabandhu’s vision and pioneering role on maritime boundary demarcation through an act of parliament in 1974.”
She mentioned that Bangladesh has been enjoying warm relations with Australia since it recognised Bangladesh on January 31, 1972. “Very fundamental of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Australia originates from the fact that Australia was the first country from the developed world to recognise our independence.”
Hasina recalled that after the declaration of independence by the Father of the Nation on March 26, 1971, he called upon the people of Bangladesh to fight for independence.
“We offer homage to the world leaders who stood by our side during our Liberation War and the early years of our nationhood. Amongst the world leaders who championed our cause for liberation, Edward Gough Whitlam was one of them. Whitlam played a leading role in building a bipartisan consensus about Bangladesh as the leader of the opposition in the Australian Federal Parliament in 1971,” she said.
Hasina mentioned that Whitlam played an important role in lobbying with the international community for Bangladesh to be recognised by the Commonwealth and other countries.
“Edward Whitlam visited Bangladesh on January19, 1975. It was the first and last visit [to date] by a prime minister of Australia to Bangladesh.”
She also recalled with gratitude the contribution of Australian national William AS Ouderland during the Liberation War for which he was given gallantry award “Bir Protik” and awarded with “Friends of Bangladesh War of Liberation”.
The premier said Australia has been a favourite destination for higher studies for Bangladeshi students and some 200 students are now studying in Western Sydney University.
“Western Sydney University’s present collaboration with Bangladesh is strengthening capacity of our judiciary management and providing training programme for Department of Oceanography, University of Dhaka and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University to enhance their knowledge and skills in ocean governance.
“The students who are here shouldn’t only obtain degrees, rather they have many things to learn,” she said.
Mentioning that her government solved maritime boundary disputes with two neighbouring countries, Hasina said Bangladesh has to utilise its maritime resources, which can contribute to its economic development.
The PM paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman placing a wreath at the Bust of Bangabandhu on the University campus. The Bust of the Father of the Nation was unveiled by Law Minister Anisul Huq in February last year.
Leaders and activists of Australia chapter of Awami League greeted the PM with a bouquet there.
