Estonia has expressed solidarity with Bangladesh in its efforts for safe and secure repatriation of over one million Rohingyas who were forced to flee to Bangladesh from their homes in Myanmar.
During a meeting with his counterpart AH Mahmood Ali in Dhaka on Sunday, visiting Estonian Foreign Minister Sven Mikser highly appreciated the 'great hospitality' the Bangladesh government extended to the Rohingya refugees.
Bangladesh foreign minister informed the foreign minister of Estonia of the Rohingya issue and said that currently Bangladesh is hosting about 1.1 million forcibly displaced Rohingya Muslims who had been subject to violence and severe atrocity in the Rakhaine State of Myanmar, says a foreign ministry media release.
Mahmood Ali apprised Mr. Mikser of his recent visit to Rakhaine to see the essential conditions for safe and secure repatriation of these persecuted people.
Foreign Minister of Estonia Sven Mikser, accompanied by senior officials of his ministry, is on a tour in Bangladesh from September 09 to 11.
The visit of the Estonian foreign minister is the first high level visit taking place between the two countries.
Mr. Mikser called on Mahmood Ali at the State Guest House Padma on Sunday.
The Estonian foreign minister informed his Bangladesh counterpart of the capacity and expertise Estonia has achieved and can offer, particularly in IT and ICT sectors.
Mr. Mikser said Estonia is the most digitally connected country in the world and their government has implemented e-government system in every sector, including education, banking, security, land management, taxation and healthcare.
He offered sharing of Estonian expertise in e-governance and digitalisation both with the government and private sectors.
He expressed interest in market development in the digital sector in Bangladesh.
On international and regional cooperation, Mr. Mikser expressed gratitude for Bangladesh's support towards Estonia's maiden bid for the non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
He hoped that the two countries would continue to enhance cooperation and contacts on the issues of mutual interest.
Mr. Mikser noted that Bangladesh is an active member in and a significant contributor to the UN system and praised Bangladesh's role in global peacekeeping through UN peacekeeping missions.
He referred to Bangladesh's efforts in the sphere of international peace and security.
Minister Ali welcomed the Estonian offer to share their expertise in e-governance and digital market place and welcomed the Estonian entrepreneurs and investors for digitalisation process and digital market development in Bangladesh.
He re-confirmed Bangladesh's support for Estonia's bid to the non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council and wished Estonia success in its effort.
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