Bangladesh and Myanmar conclude ‘Arrangement’ on return of displaced persons from Rakhine State

Bangladesh and Myanmar signed ‘Arrangement’ on return of displaced Myanmar persons sheltered in Bangladesh in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar today. Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali MP signed the bilateral instrument and U Kyaw Tint Swe, Union Minister of Myanmar signed the instrument on behalf of the respective governments at the State Counsellor’s Office today at 2 PM local time.

The bilateral instrument was being negotiated by officials of the two countries for the last couple of months. At the same place yesterday morning, the Senior Officials of both countries negotiated the draft at their level. Later in afternoon, Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali and the Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe resolved the remaining issues and finalized the draft after discussion.

The ‘Arrangement’ stipulates that the return shall commence within two months. A Joint Working Group will be established within three weeks of signing the ‘Arrangement’. A specific bilateral instrument (physical arrangement) for repatriation will be concluded in a speedy manner.

Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali called on the State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in the morning today. They discussed issues of mutual cooperation e.g. trade, energy and connectivity under BCIM.

During the visit, Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali and U Kyaw Tint Swe also exchanged the long awaited “Instrument of Ratification” of the Agreement on demarcation of the land section of the boundary north of the Naaf River concluded in 1998. The two countries also signed “Supplementary Protocol on the demarcation of a fixed boundary in the Naaf River” earlier agreed in 2007.

Foreign Minister Ali also handed over three ambulances for Rakhine State as gift from the government of Bangladesh to the Union Minister of Social Welfare, Relief Resettlement U Win Myat Aye at latter’s Office in Nay Pyi Taw today.

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