Myanmar responds positively towards starting Rohingya repatriation: Foreign minister

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today said Myanmar responded positively towards starting Rohingya repatriation with the next round of talks scheduled for the first week of February.

"We got some positive responses. We told them it's an opportunity for you (Myanmar) to take back your nationals," he told reporters after a programme in the city.

The foreign minister said they provided a figure to start the repatriation and Bangladesh have asked Myanmar to begin.

Dr Momen said peace and development in the region will be hampered if the Rohingya issue is not resolved.

He said a Director-General level meeting with Myanmar will be held in the first week of February this year.

Myanmar had earlier said they are committed to beginning repatriation of Rohingyas as per the bilateral agreement signed with Bangladesh in 2017.

Myanmar's International Cooperation Minister Kyaw Tin conveyed it to Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in a recent letter.

The Myanmar minister also said they are committed to ensuring peaceful relations with all neighbours including Bangladesh and resolving any problems peacefully.

Kyaw Tin said they want to resolve any bilateral issues with neighbours through mutual partnership.

He hoped to begin repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar soon through the tripartite talks held among Bangladesh, Myanmar and China on January 19.

The two countries will address the relevant issues, including a joint working group meeting with an expansion that will be held in February first week to prepare the ground for repatriation in the second quarter of the current year.

The China-Bangladesh-Myanmar meeting was chaired by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui and Myanmar Deputy Minister of International Cooperation Hau Do Suan led the Myanmar side.