State Counsellor welcomes the support of the International Community in the implementation of the bilateral agreement between Myanmar and Bangladesh

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor in the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, met members of the United Nations Security Council on their visit. She welcomed the opportunity to discuss the situation in Rakhine State with them.

“The Government of Myanmar is pleased to working in partnership with the United Nations to deal with many serious challenges that our country faces” said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

“In particular, the engagement of UN agencies in Rakhine will strengthen the government’s ability to ensure that refugees can return safety, without fear”.

The government of Myanmar is discussing a Memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The government of Myanmar believes this is the appropriate time for those bodies to work alongside Union Ministries and the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development for the good for all people in Rakhine.

She said, “I am confident that this is an important turning point. Violence has no place in a democratic Myanmar. We must work hard to repatriate those who have lost their homes while also dealing with the root causes of the recent violence”.

The Advisory Board on Rakhine State, appointed by the State Counsellor, has made a number of recommendations so as to achieve this.

The State Counsellor said, “The basis for return must be that it is safe, dignified and voluntary. The report I commissioned from Dr. Kofi Annan sets out practical measures necessary to achieve development for all communities in Rakhine State, based on clear respect for rule of law and human rights. These recommendations will contribute to the implementation of the Government’s efforts to bring peace, stability and development to Rakhine State”.