Dhaka-Nay Pyi Taw Talks

Myanmar to take back its nationals

27 August 2011, 18:00 PM

Diplomatic Correspondent

Myanmar at a meeting reiterated its willingness to take back all refugees as well as undocumented nationals living in Bangladesh. Myanmar Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Maung Myint said this at the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Nay Pyi Taw, capital of Myanmar, on August 25. Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes led the Bangladesh delegation to the meeting, said a foreign ministry press release yesterday. Referring to the full list of residual Myanmar refugees living in Nayapara and Kutupalong camps handed over to Myanmar in 2009, Quayes requested Myanmar for early verification and commencement of repatriation and taking effective steps for the return of its undocumented nationals and stopping further influx into Bangladesh. Maung Myint said Myanmar is ready to take back all its refugees after verification and subject to agreed criteria. He also agreed in principle to take back all other Myanmar nationals. The two sides agreed to synchronise border patrolling by border guards of both the countries to stop illegal movement of people and other trans-boundary crimes. The two sides also agreed to explore mechanisms for cooperation in identifying and repatriating undocumented Myanmar nationals living in Bangladesh. Quayes also raised the issue of expedited repatriation when he called on Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin. Maung Lwin assured him of looking into the matter personally with a view to an early resolution of the longstanding issue. This round of annual consultations is so far the highest level interactions between the two countries since the new government took office in Myanmar. The two sides agreed to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a joint commission and discussed elements of the possible visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Myanmar this year. They also discussed cooperation in energy sector and physical connectivity, including direct road link, air service and coastal shipping. They also discussed prospects and proposals for further cooperation in trade and commerce, agriculture, fisheries and livestock, culture and tourism, border security management and the defence services. Other members of Bangladesh delegation included Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Major General Anup Kumar Chakma and Director General (South East Asia) Golam Sarwar.