A
Myanmar delegation led by U Myint Thu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar visited Dhaka,
Bangladesh from 15 to 18 May 2018 to attend the Second Meeting of the Joint
Working Group (JWG) on the Repatriation of Verified Displaced Persons. The
delegation included representatives from various Ministries and the Rakhine
State government.
The
Second JWG Meeting was held at the State Guest House of Bangladesh on 17 May
2018. The meeting was co-chaired by U Myint Thu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar and Mr. Shahidul Haque, Foreign Secretary, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh.
During
the Meeting, both sides exchanged views on the repatriation process, including
conducive environment, safety and security for the prospective returnees,
current situation of displaced persons in Bangladesh, updates on the displaced
persons from the international boundary line, dissemination of information
among the returnees and confidence building, and the involvement of the United
Nations Agencies in the process of repatriation and resettlement.
The
Myanmar side informed the Meeting on its concerted efforts and preparations for
the repatriation and resettlement process, including the UEHRD’s activities,
verification process, the issuance of the National Verification Card (NVC), and
the ongoing discussion between the Myanmar Government and the UN agencies for
cooperation in the repatriation, resettlement and reintegration process.
The
Myanmar side reiterated its readiness to receive the verified displaced persons
from Bangladesh and urged the Bangladeshi side to commence the repatriation of
the earlier verified 778 Muslims and 444 Hindus as well as 1101 verified
persons (as of 2 May 2018) out of 8,032 persons received from the Bangladeshi
side. The Myanmar side also sought cooperation of the Bangladesh side in
terminating and demolition of structures recently built in the non-construction
zone of the border line, since the construction of those structures breached
Article 14 of the “Treaty between Myanmar and Bangladesh on the Demarcation of
the Land Section of the Boundary North of the Naaf River signed in 1998.
Furthermore,
the Myanmar side urged the Bangladeshi side to provide information on its
readiness to commence the repatriation process including the completion of
transit camps at the Bangladeshi side as well as the promotion of awareness
among the prospective returnees on the bilateral agreements between the two
countries and the agreed verification forms to be shared with them.
The
Myanmar delegation called upon the international community to work together to
create a conducive environment to restoring peace and stability, harmony and
sustained socio-economic development for all people in Rakhine State.
The
Myanmar side shared its belief that mutual understanding and constructive
cooperation based on the principles of objectivity, mutual respect and bilateral
agreements would bring about a positive outcome in the repatriation process.
The
third Joint Working Group meeting will be held in Nay Pyi Taw and the dates and
venue will be communicated through the diplomatic channel.
MNA
Ref;
The Global New Light of Myanmar
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