Myanmar govt, Arakan Army congratulate new Bangladesh Foreign Minister

Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe has congratulated Bangladesh’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman.

For the first time, Twan Mrat Naing, chairman of the United League of Arakan (ULA) and head of the Arakan Army, also sent a congratulatory letter to the Bangladesh foreign minister.

In his message, Naing expressed hope for “practical, sustainable and realistic solutions” and said the two sides now have an opportunity to chart a new course of friendship between Bangladesh and Arakan.

The messages appeared to reflect readiness from both the Myanmar government and the Arakan Army to work with Bangladesh’s new government toward resolving the Rohingya crisis.

Foreign Minister Khalilur recently confirmed that Dhaka has been in contact with both parties in this regard.

"The messages from Myanmar and Arakan Army authorities are an extraordinary event and have come in the wake of continued engagement. They reflect their confidence in the new Bangladesh government in promoting a peaceful resolution of the Rohingya issue through continued contacts and dialogue," a senior foreign ministry official told BSS this evening.

Bangladesh has also been engaging other key countries and the United Nations to advance an early, durable solution to the longstanding Rohingya issue.