Bangladesh and Myanmar signed ‘Arrangement’ on Return of displaced Myanmar persons sheltered in Bangladesh on 23 November 2017 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali MP signed the bilateral instrument andU Kyaw Tint Swe, Union Minister signed the instrument on behalf of the respective governments at the State Counsellor’s Office on 23November at 2 PM.

The bilateral instrument was being negotiated by officials of the two countries for the last couple of months. On the morning of 22 November 2017 in Nay Pyi Taw, the Senior Officials of both countries negotiated the draft at their level. Later in afternoon, Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali and the Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe resolved the remaining issues and finalized the draft after discussion.

The ‘Arrangement’ stipulates that the return shall commence within two months. A Joint Working Group will be established within three weeks of signing the ‘Arrangement’. A specific bilateral instrument (physical arrangement) for repatriation will be concluded in a speedy manner.

Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali called on the State CounsellorAung San SuuKyi at 10 am on 23 November 2017. They discussed issues of mutual cooperation e.g. trade, energy and connectivity under BCIM.

During the visit, Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali and U Kyaw Tint Swealso 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. The two countries also signed “Supplementary Protocol on the demarcation of a fixed boundary in the Naaf River” earlier agreed in 2007.

Foreign Minister Ali at 10 am on November 23 also handed over three ambulances for RakhineState as gift from the government of Bangladesh to the Union Minister of Social Welfare, Relief Resettlement U Win Myat Aye at latter’s Office in Nay Pyi Taw.