Deal with Bangladesh in the offing

NAI PYI TAW: Myanmar and Bangladesh may soon ink a memorandum of understanding on the safe repatriation of refugees to Rakhine state and other parts of Myanmar, Federica Mogherini, the vice president of the European Commission, said yesterday.

The European Union is supporting this process and will lend its continued assistance in the coming weeks, said Ms Mogherini, who also serves as the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.

She is leading the European delegation at the 13th Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) of Foreign Ministers in the Myanmar capital of Nai Pyi Taw, which began yesterday.

The veteran diplomat said prior to attending the Asem meeting she traveled to Bangladesh to meet its Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for talks on this issue.

Ministers including Myanmar State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi met on the sidelines of the summit to discuss the situation in Rakhine state, which has seen a mass exodus of Rohingyas claiming persecution from the army.

The ministers proposed Ms Suu Kyi implement a suggestion by the Rakhine Advisory Commission — chaired by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan — on signing a deal with Bangladesh, where many of the refugees remain in camps.

Ms Suu Kyi reportedly expressed willingness to move in that direction, according to some of those who were in attendance.

Ms Mogherini described the meeting is “extremely encouraging”.

She said would also discuss security priorities and the situation with North Korea during the summit.

“I believe these two days will represent the strengthening of partnerships,” she added.

Thai foreign minister Don Pramudwinai said Myanmar and Bangladesh were working hard to agree on the MoU.