Bangladesh, Myanmar must continue dialogue to bring political solution to Rohingya crisis: EU

The European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management has said the dialogue between Bangladesh and Myanmar is the only way to bring a political solution to the Rohingya crisis.

“I strongly believe that there can be a political solution to the crisis,” Christos Stylianides told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali at state guesthouse Padma on Wednesday.

“The root cause lies in Myanmar. The governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar should continue dialogue. This is the only way to ensure safe, dignified, and voluntary return of those who were forced to cross the border and want to return home,” Stylianides said as he ended his two-day Bangladesh visit.

His visit comes a week after the EU and its member states pledged more than 50 percent of the $344 million total funding raised at the International Conference on the Rohingya Refugee Crisis held in Geneva.

He visited Rohingya camps and where he said the scale of this emergency is “painfully clear to see; this is the fastest-growing refugee crisis in the world”.

“Our help will continue. I hope the Rohingya will be able to return their home in a safe and dignified way,” he said. “Our promise is that we’ll continue to provide assistance as long as it takes.”

He said the EU’s engagement with Bangladesh is “long standing” and is “beyond humanitarian aid and Rohingya crisis”.

“EU stands by Bangladesh in this difficult time”. He also commended the “generous approach” of Bangladesh authorities.

The foreign ministry in a statement said during the meeting, Foreign Minister Ali briefed him on the current situation and apprised that over 1 million Rohingyas are now living in Bangladesh.

He also mentioned that the presence of this huge number of Rohingyas created “massive socio-economic and environmental challenge for Bangladesh”.

He also sought “sustained political support” of EU so that a solution to this problem could be forged in light of the recommendations of Kofi Annan Commission.

Citing the recent engagements between Myanmar and Bangladesh, Ali hoped that the EU will continue its “persuasion” with Myanmar until the Rohingyas return to their homeland in safety, security and dignity.