East Timor could play a significant role in addressing issues between Myanmar and Bangladesh, leveraging the diplomatic acumen of its president, José Ramos-Horta, said Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
He expressed Dhaka’s interest in utilising Ramos-Horta’s expertise to address the Rohingya crisis.
During a joint press conference on Sunday (15 December) held at the Chief Adviser’s Office, Yunus shared insights into the discussions with Ramos-Horta, emphasising the strong ties between Bangladesh and East Timor that date back to the latter’s independence and early years of nationhood.
“East Timor’s impending membership in ASEAN positions it to provide substantial support towards resolving the Rohingya crisis,” Yunus remarked, adding that Bangladesh anticipates strengthened collaboration in this regard.
Additionally, he highlighted opportunities for exporting Bangladeshi products to East Timor, hinting at potential economic benefits from enhanced bilateral relations.
Earlier at the press conference, Ramos-Horta lauded Yunus’s leadership, describing it as a stroke of fortune for Bangladesh.
The East Timorese president arrived in Dhaka on Saturday night at 10:30pm for a four-day visit. Yunus warmly received him at the airport, setting the stage for discussions aimed at fostering regional cooperation and addressing pressing humanitarian issues.
