The Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh signed the Arrangement on Return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State

At the invitation of U Kyaw Tint Swe, Union Minister for the Office of the State Counsellor, Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, visited Myanmar from 22 to 23 November 2017.

During the visit of the Bangladesh delegation, Union Minister for the Office of the State Counsellor, U Kyaw Tint Swe and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali co-chaired the Ministerial Meeting to discuss the Arrangement on the Return of Displaced Persons from the Rakhine State at the Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor on 22 November 2017 at 1600 hrs. An agreement was reached on the Arrangement, and both Governments concurred that it should be signed as soon as possible.

U Kyaw Tint Swe, Union Minister for the Office of the State Counsellor and Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh signed the Arrangement on Return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State at the Meeting Room, Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor on 23 November 2017 at 1400 hrs.

The Arrangement was based on the Joint Statement signed by the Foreign Ministers of the Government of the Union of Myanmar and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in 1992 and contained the general guiding principles and policy arrangements to systematically verify and receive the displaced persons from Rakhine State.

Western countries as well the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), had portrayed the matter as an international issue by passing resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations. The Security Council also issued a Presidential Statement on the issue.

The principled position of Myanmar is that issues that emerge between neighbouring countries must be resolved amicably through bilateral negotiations. The present Arrangement, which had been agreed to by both countries based on their friendly and good neighbourly relations demonstrate the steadfast position of Myanmar and is a win-win situation for both countries.

Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor
Nay Pyi Taw.
Dated: 23 November 2017