Bangladesh and Myanmar on Friday agreed that Rohingyas residing in Cox’s Bazar themselves will fill up the verification forms for their early repatriation.

As per the decision, the verification forms will be distributed among them and they will fill those up, according to the Ministry of the Office of the State Counselor, Myanmar.

Signatures, finger-prints, and photo IDs are to be completed when filling the forms to indicate voluntary return and assist with Myanmar’s verification process.

Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed that there should be early repatriation of Rohingyas who fled to Cox’s Bazar amid military crackdowns in Rakhine State.

Bangladesh has agreed to revise the language used in the ID cards being issued to those who are currently residing in Cox’s Bazar, Myanmar side claimed.

They, in a ministerial meeting between Bangladesh and Myanmar held at Nay Pyi Taw, agreed that repatriation will be in a voluntary, safe and dignified manner.

In this regard, a hotline has been established between the ministers to facilitate ease of discussions.

The meeting was chaired by Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Myanmar’s Union Minister of the Ministry of the Office of the State Counselor Kyaw Tint Swe.

Union Ministers Thein Swe and Dr Win Myat Aye, officials concerned and delegates from both sides participated in the meeting.

The meeting discussed the implementation of the bilateral agreement, the ‘Arrangement on Return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State’ signed between the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh in November 2017.

As agreed in the arrangement, Myanmar has built two reception centers and one transit camp. Bangladesh has confirmed progress on the five transit camps; one is complete, another under construction, and remaining three to be built.

Both parties agreed to intensify cooperation on counter-terrorism and the fight against drug trafficking through exchange of intelligence, closer cooperation between the border-guard officials and conducting enhanced coordinated border patrols.

They also agreed to cooperate on the issue of repatriation of Rohingyas currently residing along the international border between Myanmar and Bangladesh, in particular the area between the international border and the fence erected on Myanmar’s territory in an expeditious manner.

It was also agreed that any humanitarian aid given to those inhabiting the area on Myanmar’s territory should be given by the aid agencies from Myanmar side.

They also agree to conduct a joint inspection of the boundary line between the boundary pillars BP34 and BP 35.

Both ministers reiterated their commitment for closer consultation in resolving the issue of displaced persons from Rakhine State in the spirit of good neighborliness.

They also agreed to promote closer economic and trade relations of the interest of both the countries.

Source: UNB.

AH