National Security Adviser of Myanmar U Thaung Tun met the Foreign Minister A.H Mahmood Ali, last evening at the State Guest House Padma. Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque and Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Sufiur Rahman were present at the meeting. U Thaung Tun is visiting Bangladesh at the invitation of Bangladesh Foreign Minister from 2-4 July.
During the meeting, the National Security Adviser expressed desire of the government of Myanmar to further develop bilateral relations with Bangladesh. He expressed the interest of Myanmar to address the differences between the two neighbours through discussion. He put emphasis on the need for enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the security sector and expressed happiness on recently held meetings among defence and border forces. He opined that economic development could help reduce tension among the two communities in Rakhine and contribute to resolution of problems.
Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali reiterated Bangladesh’s desire for developing a relationship of trust and mutual benefit with the neighbor and stressed on the need for engaging in frank discussion to build convergence where there are difference of opinion. He asserted that Bangladesh maintains zero tolerance to any activity targeted against neighbours by non-state actors and never allows her territory to be used for any activity inimical to the interest of Myanmar. The Foreign Minister assured continuation of assistance in security stabilization in bordering areas.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister highlighted some aspects of sub-regional cooperation in South Asia and viewed that Bangladesh and Myanmar could derive immense benefit from such cooperation regionally and under BIMSTEC. He reiterated Bangladesh’s willingness to deepen cooperation in sectoral areas and expected positive response from Myanmar to Bangladesh’s proposals on energy and transport connectivity.
Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali recollected how the two countries engaged in the past to repatriate Myanmar refugees back to Rakhine. Myanmar NSA agreed on the importance of commencing bilateral discussion on repatriation of Myanmar residents from Bangladesh.