Rohingya repatriation to start in 2 months

Bangladesh and Myanmar have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding on the return of Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar based on the joint statement signed in 1992 with a fresh title 'Arrangement on Return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State'.
The two countries also signed "Supplementary Protocol on the demarcation of a fixed boundary in the Naaf  River" earlier agreed in 2007 and exchanged the long-awaited "Instrument of Ratification" of the agreement on demarcation of the land section of the boundary north of the Naaf River concluded in 1998.
Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry in a statement
said on Thursday that "Bangladesh and Myanmar signed 'Arrangement' on Return of displaced Myanmar persons sheltered in Bangladesh. Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali inked the bilateral instrument with the neighbouring country's union minister U Kyaw Tint Swe in Naypyidaw," it reads.
The "Arrangement", it said, stipulated that "the return (of Rohingyas) shall commence within two months" while a Joint Working Group would be established within next three weeks and a "specific bilateral instrument (physical arrangement) for repatriation will be concluded in a speedy manner".
Earlier on Thursday morning, Bangladesh's Foreign Minister had a meeting with Suu Kyi that lasted for 45 minutes.
The 'arrangement' stipulates that the return shall commence within two months, said the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry in a statement.
The international community is also watching the talks and its subsequent outcome as they want to see the safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson welcomed the MoU signing events and hoped that this step will reduce the tension in the region.
A Joint Working Group will be established within three weeks of the signing of the 'Arrangement'. A specific bilateral instrument (physical arrangement) for repatriation will be concluded in a speedy manner.
This is the 'first step', Mahmud Ali told Bangladesh's media afterwards. The two countries will now have to work on the 'next steps', he said.
"Now we must begin our work. All the details are in this (MoU). We will give details once we return to Dhaka." The government did not share what are the terms and conditions mentioned in the signed arrangement creating confusion on how the repatriation will be executed.
However, he said that the Foreign Ministry will brief the media on Saturday.The Minister also handed over three ambulances for Rakhine State as gift from the government of Bangladesh to the Union Minister of Social Welfare, Relief Resettlement U Win Myat Aye at the latter's office in Naypyitaw on Thursday morning.
Myanmar Foreign Ministry's statement said the instrument was being negotiated by officials of the two countries for the past few months while it was nearly finalised yesterday (Wednesday) at the Myanmar capital by senior officials of the two countries.