Rohingya Crisis: EU for stepping up measures against Myanmar
The European Union has reiterated its full support to resolve the Rohingya crisis, including speeding up restrictive measures against Myanmar.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali yesterday had a bilateral meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice President Federica Mogherini in Brussels and discussed various issues of mutual interest, including the Rohingya issue.
Mogherini renewed EU's full support for early resolution of the crisis, including stepping up measures against Myanmar, a foreign ministry official told UNB.
She expressed high admiration and appreciation for Bangladesh's “generosity, patience, solidarity and humanity” in dealing with the Rohingya crisis.
They also discussed SOPs (standard operating procedures) on return of irregular migrants and expressed satisfaction at the progress made in terms of its implementation.
The high representative informed the Minister of the Council Conclusions on Myanmar, covering the situation of the Rohingya, adopted on February 26 by the EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
The discussion also touched upon the EU-Bangladesh relations, including the political situation in Bangladesh.
The meeting was an opportunity to discuss the ongoing efforts to address the situation of the Rohingya, over 670,000 of whom have fled Myanmar for Bangladesh in recent months, said an EU media release.
Mogherini reiterated that the EU is fully mobilised politically and through extensive humanitarian assistance to help bring about a positive outcome.
In this context, the bilateral agreement reached between Bangladesh and Myanmar on the repatriation of the refugees should allow for a voluntary, safe and dignified return to their places of origin.
Mogherini recalled the need for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to be fully associated with the process.
EU's Foreign Affairs Council on Monday sought steps for targeted restrictive measures against senior military officers of the Myanmar armed forces responsible for serious and systematic human rights violations.
It also sought measures for an extension of the existing embargo on arms and equipment which can be used for internal repression as well as options for its strengthening.
The council “adopted conclusions” on the situation in Myanmar, particularly in Rakhine State, which remains extremely serious.
"In view of the situation, the council invites in its conclusions the high representative to make proposals without delay," says a press release of the council.