Swiss President calls for implementing Annan report

COX'S BAZAR, Feb 6: President of Switzerland Alain Berset called for full implementation of the report of the advisory commission chaired by Kofi Annan on Tuesday to protect Rohingyas and ensure their safe return to Myanmar. He made the call during a visit to the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.

"Switzerland is working closely with Bangladesh, UN agencies and other development partners to face Rohingya crisis smoothly," Alain Berset said.

At a press briefing after visit to the Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp, the Swiss President said his government will provide additional support of 12 million US dollars for Rohingyas in the current year. He said the Swiss govt gave support worth 8.5 million US dollars to face the Rohingya crisis in 2017.

Alain Berset visited Rohingya refugee camps in Ukhia upazila of Cox's Bazar where he met Rohingyas who fled Myanmar since August 25 last. He heard horrible stories in Rakhine state of Myanmar from 10 Rohingyas.

The Swiss president also said that the agreement on repatriation between Bangladesh and Myanmar was a positive step twoards a solution to the current crisis. President Barset on a four-day official tour arrived in Cox's Bazar on Tuesday by a special aircraft of Switzerland air force to gain a first-hand insight into the ongoing humanitarian crisis and listened to stories of sufferings from Rohingyas.

Earlier he visited Cox's Bazar district Sadar hospital and medical centres at the Kutupalong refugee camp. Foreign Affairs Minister AH Mahmud Ali, Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar Mohammad Ali Hossain, officials of UNHCR and IOM accompanied the Swiss president.

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