Speaker of the Jaitya Sangsad Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, has called upon the US to play an important role in resolving the Rohingya crisis.

He made the call when US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen paid a courtesy call on him at the latter’s office in the Jatiya Sangsad on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the Speaker informed about the existing Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh.

He said the progress of the relationship between Bangladesh and the US started during the Liberation War in 1971 and recalled the contribution of American diplomat Archer Kent Blood who had a significant contribution for Bangladesh during the war.

“The governments of Bangladesh and America are crossing a milestone in friendly relations,” he said.

Referring to the latest parliamentary election, he said the polls were held in a free and fair manner.

He said the people of Bangladesh have always struggled against authoritarianism. The genuine prosperity can be achieved only through democracy, he added.

During the meeting, both sides emphasised the importance of duty-free access for Bangladeshi products in the US market, said a press release.

They also discussed enhancement of US foreign direct investment in Bangladesh, strengthening people-to-people contacts, celebration of Democracy Day through parliamentary caucus forums, and recovering laundered money from abroad with the assistance of the US government.

The two sides also exchanged views on mitigating the ongoing energy crisis through exploration of oil and gas resources in Bangladesh to ease public suffering.