BD News24
Bangladesh has sought “verifiable concrete information”
from Myanmar so that those could be shared with the Rohingya refugees in camps
to get them the ‘confidence’ for a return to the Rakhine State.
Both countries agreed in the second meeting of the Joint
Working Group held in Dhaka on Thursday to start repatriation soon.
They expressed their resolve to work together for
removing obstacles to implement the bilateral instruments on repatriation, the
foreign ministry said in a statement.
The group was formed to repatriate the Rohingyas who fled
an army operation launched in August last year.
Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque and his Myanmar
counterpart U Myint Thu led their sides in the meeting.
The foreign secretary later told journalists Myanmar also
wanted to take the Rohingyas back.
They discussed issues related to safe, dignified and
sustainable return of those forcibly displaced Myanmar residents.
The foreign ministry said the Bangladesh emphasised
creating “conducive” environment in the Rakhine State including safety and
security of the returnees, rebuilding villages, access to livelihood, and
freedom of movement.
Both sides shared information on preparations for
beginning the repatriation and implementation of the bilateral agreements.
The secretaries discussed details about the involvement
of UN agencies, particularly UNHCR and UNDP, in the repatriation process.
Myanmar is in the process of reaching an agreement with
the UNHCR, the foreign ministry said.
The meeting also discussed in detail the issue of
National Verification Card (NVC) and Bangladesh sought clarification on the NVC
process.
Myanmar said with the NVC card, which will be issued
immediately upon return, the Rohingya people will be able to pursue job in
Rakhine State.