Rohingya repatriation at the soonest: Myanmar’s Senior General

Expressing his genuine political willingness, the Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) and Prime Minister of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing hoped that the repatriation of Rohingyas will commence at the soonest.

He told this during the presentation of credentials by the newly appointed Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Md. Monwar Hossain on Wednesday (Sept 6).

The Chairman further emphasised that the two countries should collaborate robustly to improve trade and connectivity to boost growth and prosperity of the two neighbors.

Referring to the Ambassador’s expertise in Public Health diplomacy, the Chairman hoped that the two countries could cooperate in the health sector and requested him to meet his Health Minister to discuss further.

Earlier, in the morning, the Bangladesh Ambassador-designate accompanied by the Embassy officials was greeted at his hotel and taken to the Presidential Palace in a ceremonial motorcade.

He was received at the Palace by the Director General of Protocol and escorted to the newly built Credential Hall where he formally handed over the credential papers to the Chairman.

At the very outset of the conversation, the Chairman of the SAC congratulated Monwar Hossain and conveyed his appreciation to the President of Bangladesh for nominating such a prudent career diplomat as envoy to maintain the bilateral relationship with his country.

The Chairman and the Ambassador discussed all issues of bilateral relations, including repatriation of displaced persons of Myanmar, trade, connectivity, traditional and non-traditional security cooperation, namely drug and human trafficking, arms smuggling, defence cooperation and people-to-people contact.

Stating that the issue of repatriation of the displaced persons of Myanmar temporarily sheltered in Cox’s Bazar is the topmost priority of his government, the Bangladesh Ambassador reiterated that Bangladesh would like to commence the repatriation at the earliest in a safe, voluntary and sustainable manner.

Expressing his genuine political willingness in this regard, the Chairman hoped that the repatriation will commence at the soonest.

He further emphasized that the two countries should collaborate robustly to improve trade and connectivity to boost growth and prosperity of the two neighbors. Referring to the Ambassador’s expertise in Public Health diplomacy, the Chairman hoped that the two countries could cooperate in the health sector and requested him to meet his Health Minister to discuss further.

The Ambassador also briefed the Chairman on the extraordinary socio-economic development taken place in Bangladesh in the last 15 years under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He also mentioned about the Prime Minister’s vision 2041 by which Bangladesh is aiming to become a developed country, Sonar Bangla, as envisioned by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Ambassador Hossain thanked the Chairman for accepting his credentials and sought his support to work for further strengthening the bilateral relations and take it to a new height. He wished the Chairman peace, prosperity and good health.

In reply the Chairman wished the Ambassador a successful tenure and conveyed greetings to the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The discussion took place for almost 45 minutes in a very warm and cordial environment.

Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar U Than Swe, Joint Secretary of the State Administration Council Lt. General Ye Win Oo, Counselor (Political) and Defence Attache of Bangladesh Embassy, Yangon, among others, were present in the credentials ceremony.