Rohingya repatriation deal this week, hopes FM

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali has expressed his optimism over signing a deal with Myanmar within this week on Rohingya repatriation.

"Chances look good. Let's see," he told the journalists while coming out from the ASEM Foreign Ministers meeting at Nay Pyi Taw of Myanmar on Tuesday.

AH Mahmood Ali is now in Myanmar. He led the Bangladesh delegation at the ASEM Foreign Ministers meeting. He will further discuss the repatriation process with Suu Kyi on Wednesday and Thursday.

The minister sees the opportunities as Bangladesh is in talks with Myanmar bilaterally.

"We'll start bilateral talks tomorrow (Wednesday). Let's see," he said.

Asked about the intention of the foreign ministers with whom he had bilateral talks on the sidelines of the ASEM meeting, he said they extended support to Bangladesh.

Earlier, the foreign ministers of Asian and European countries in general have agreed in many areas on Rohingya issue.

They have asked for immediate cessation of hostilities, halting the outflow, early return of externally displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh.

They also asked for implementation of the recommendations of the Kofi Annan Commission for a durable solution.

On Monday morning, the Foreign Minister attended an informal briefing with them on Rakhine issue and discussed the issue.

Foreign Ministers of Myanmar, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Estonia, Germany, Malta, Russia, Luxemburg, France, Thailand, Hungary, Finland, Sweden and the High Representative of the EU attended it.

Amid mounting international pressure, Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday expressed hope to sign the Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh this week.

According to UNB, the MoU will enable them to start the repatriation process of all Rohingyas from Bangladesh to their homeland Myanmar.

Bangladesh is facing multiple challenges with over 622,000 Rohingyas who crossed over border amid violence in Myanmar since August 25.