Rohingya repatriation: EU wants to see 'swift implementation' of bilateral agreement

The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini has welcomed the bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar for refugee repatriation and said they are looking forward to 'swift implementation' of the agreement.

Mogherini, who recently visited Bangladesh and Myanmar said, "The signing of the repatriation agreement in Nay Pyi Taw is an important and welcomed step towards addressing one of the worst humanitarian and human rights crises of our times."

"The European Union has been fully mobilised politically and through extensive humanitarian assistance to help find a sustainable solution to this crisis and is ready to further support the two countries in this process, she said in a statement. "In this context we also look forward to the swift implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State."

She said, "Earlier this week in my talks in Dhaka with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, and in Nay Pyi Taw with the State Counsellor of Myanmar, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, I encouraged both countries to reach a swift conclusion of a bilateral repatriation agreement as a matter of urgency."

The top EU diplomat said she was pleased to see that their commitments brought them to achieve this important result.

"We now expect the agreement signed today to be implemented without delay, and Myanmar to create the conditions on the ground that will allow for a voluntary, safe and dignified return of the refugees to their places of origin," the statement added.

"The European Union will monitor with attention its implementation in full compliance with international law and reiterates its call for full and unconditional humanitarian access without delay," it added.