Rohingyas to get better future only when they return to Myanmar: Momen

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday said the Rohingyas’ better life and future can be ensured only in their own country and it is better for them to start returning to their homes in Myanmar.

"For Rohingyas, better future is only possible in Myanmar, not in Bangladesh. Confidence building measures are being taken. It is better they start returning to Myanmar," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Momen said the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister came to Bangladesh to discuss the Rohingya, not the issues that media raised.

"He (Chinese Vice Minister) was not even close that issue," said the Foreign Minister while responding to a question on Global Development Initiative (GDI) of China. Momen said China is facilitating the Rohingya repatriation efforts.

On Sunday, Bangladesh and China reviewed the ongoing efforts for repatriation of the Rohingyas back to their homeland in Myanmar smoothly and on an expeditious basis.

Foreign Minister Momen thanked the Chinese government for making "sincere efforts" for the safe and quick return of the Rohingya people from Bangladesh.

Asked when the Rohingyas will start returning to Myanmar, he said he does not have any idea about any specific date.

Both Foreign Minister Dr Momen and Vice Foreign Minister of China Sun Weidong expressed similar views that the problem needed an urgent solution, because if left unaddressed for any longer, it could potentially evolve as a tangible threat to the regional security and stability.

"There are trilateral efforts. Our priority is to see repatriation of the Rohingyas," Momen said.

He said many Rohingyas are willing to return while some Rohingyas raised issues like citizenship.

During his meeting with Dr Momen on Sunday, the Vice Foreign Minister of China highly lauded the remarkable socio-economic transformation of Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"The Chinese Vice Minister visited Padma Bridge. He acknowledged that Bangladesh made things possible over the last 10 years that looked impossible," Momen said.

Dr Momen highly appreciated the substantial contributions made by China towards the developmental journey of Bangladesh.

Responding to a question, Momen said the Chinese Vice Minister invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit China but Dhaka conveyed that the Prime Minister will be in New York at that time.