Bangladesh Seeks Norway’s Support for Rohingya Repatriation, Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration

Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has called for Norway’s active support and investment in ensuring the safe and speedy repatriation of Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh and exploring and extracting oil and natural gas from the country’s coastal maritime areas, including Bhola.

He made the call during a courtesy meeting with Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen at the Speaker’s office in Dhaka on Sunday.

Highlighting the longstanding friendship between the two countries, the Speaker said bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Norway had strengthened since the 1971 Liberation War.

Describing Norway as one of the world's leading democratic nations, he said the country had consistently supported the development of parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh.

Speaking about Bangladesh’s democratic history, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said people's democratic rights had been extensively undermined during the previous 17 years of governance.

He alleged that flawed elections during that period had obstructed the path of parliamentary democracy, while enforced disappearances, killings and extrajudicial executions had created an atmosphere of instability.

He also mentioned that former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and several senior opposition leaders had been imprisoned multiple times during that period.

However, he said the July mass uprising of 2024 had reopened the path towards democratic progress in the country.

The Speaker described the 13th parliamentary election as one of the most credible elections in Bangladesh's history, adding that the current government was working relentlessly to fulfil the democratic aspirations of the people.

He also said Bangladesh had consistently played a leading role in promoting human rights across the world.

Discussing the Rohingya crisis, the Speaker stressed the need for strong international support to facilitate the return of Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar.

He said Norway and other European countries could provide effective assistance in ensuring their safe repatriation.

In response, Norwegian Ambassador Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen praised Bangladesh's longstanding contribution to United Nations peacekeeping missions.

He said Bangladeshi peacekeepers had played a highly commendable role in promoting peace around the world.

The ambassador assured that Norway would continue its cooperation with Bangladesh in strengthening parliamentary democracy and protecting human rights.

The meeting also covered several issues of bilateral interest, including the formation of parliamentary friendship groups between the two countries and exchanges of visits by parliamentary delegations.

Discussions also touched on the Nobel Peace Prize and recognition of contributions to global peace.

Both sides exchanged views on the ongoing activities of Bangladesh's Constitution Amendment Committee and the July Charter.

During the meeting, the Speaker also invited Norwegian companies to explore investment opportunities in the exploration and extraction of crude oil and natural gas in Bangladesh's extensive offshore areas, particularly in coastal regions including Bhola.

Senior representatives of the Norwegian Embassy, the Secretary of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat and other senior officials were present at the meeting.