Sheikh Hasina says global community must help to relocate Myanmar refugees

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought the support of the international community for relocating Myanmar refugees to more spacious healthy areas in the country.

Hasina made these remarks during a luncheon meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel here on Saturday.

Asserting that Bangladesh is looking at the Myanmar refugee issue as a humanitarian effort, Hasina said it is imperative that they be moved out of the congested Cox's Bazar area of Bangladesh at earliest to save the environment, sanitation system, landscape and nature.

Relocating them to a healthy and safe environment is an absolute must, Hasina told Merkel.

The Dhaka Tribune quoted the prime minister's Press Secretary, Ehsanul Karim, as saying that both leaders discussed various issues of mutual interests, including looking at ways to boost relations between the two countries in the areas of trade and business, development and refugee issues during their hour-long meeting.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Bangladesh and Germany on upgrading current machine readable passport system of the former and a joint declaration of intent on political exchange on counter terrorism.