Myanmar ready to take back Rohingya refugees from BD

FE Report The government of Myanmar has reiterated its willingness to take back Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh, said Foreign Secretary (FS) Mohamed Mijarul Quayes Saturday. "We (Bangladesh government) handed over the list of Rohingya refugees and requested the Myanmar government to take effective steps for their return," he told a press briefing at the conference room of the Foreign Ministry. The FS, who visited Myanmar in August last, also discussed the issue of undocumented nationals of Myanmar who illegally entered Bangladesh and have been living here for several years. "We discussed the issue of repatriation of Rohingya refugees during Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) meeting with Myanmar Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Maung Myint in the Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Taw on August 25, 2011," he mentioned. He said the two sides have also agreed to evolve a mechanism to stop further influx of Myanmar nationals into Bangladesh territory. "Myanmar deputy foreign minister, during the meeting, told about his country's readiness to take back all Myanmar refugees after verification and on the basis of agreed criteria. He also agreed in principle to take back all other Myanmar nationals," adding that the Foreign Minister of Myanmar Wunna Maung Lwin assured him of looking into the matter. He said apart from Rohingya refugees, who are now living at Nayapara and Kutupalong camps in Cox's Bazar, and registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) there are also many undocumented Myanmar nationals now illegally staying in Bangladesh. "At present about 28,000 Rohingya refugees have been staying at two camps in Cox's Bazar. There are also many undocumented Myanmar nationals in Bangladesh," he mentioned. Mr Quayes said the two countries have agreed to synchronise border patrolling by border guards to stop illegal movement of people and other trans-boundary crimes. The FS said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will visit Myanmar to discuss broader cooperation on energy, physical connectivity such as direct road link, air service, coastal shipping, trade and commerce. The foreign secretary said she (Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina) will attend and address a World Health Summit on " Health Services and the Challenges of Health Care" in Berlin, Germany from 25th to 30th October. With regard to the recognition of National Transitional Council (NTC) in Libya, Mr Quayes said, "Bangladesh recognised NTC following the unanimous decision of the United Nations (UN)". Replying to a query about Bangladesh-India relations and the current transportation of Indian goods from Ashuganj river port to Agartala, capital of Indian state of Tripura, via Akhaura he said, "This is being done under the existing Inland Water Transport Arrangement between the two countries".