Annan Commission recommendations

Myanmar assures EU of implementation

The government of Myanmar has reassured the European Union (EU) that it will start taking steps to implement the recommendations of the Annan Advisory Commission, headed by former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, from this week, according to a statement issued by EU high representative/vice-president Federica Mogherini and forwarded by the office of the EU delegation in Dhaka yesterday.

At the same time, Naypyidaw has assured the bloc of 28 countries that it will provide humanitarian access to the troubled areas.

“I am following the dramatic developments in Rakhine State and at the border region in Bangladesh closely. The European Union has raised its concerns as recently as last Friday in direct contacts with Myanmar government members,” said the statement. “As I stated in my statement a few days ago, the priority is now to obtain immediate humanitarian access again, and to address in parallel the root causes of the conflict by implementing the Annan Advisory Commission recommendations to this end,” it said.

“On both accounts we were reassured that there will be implementing steps this week, which I expect to happen,” it added.

“We are in close contact with Bangladeshi authorities and are stepping up our humanitarian engagement there,” said the statement.

Meanwhile, the EU has stepped up humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh and Myanmar to deal with the crisis that saw about 4 lakh Rohingyas to flee their homes in Rakhne State.

“As more and more refugees arrive in Bangladesh from Myanmar, the European Commission announces additional humanitarian aid of €3 million to address the most pressing needs of the Rohingya civilians,” said a EU press statement.

“The funding comes on top of the €12 million announced in May 2017 when Commissioner Stylianides visited Rakhine State in Myanmar,” it said.

“The European Union is providing further emergency humanitarian aid as the situation continues to be critical. This additional funding will help provide emergency shelter, water, food and health assistance for the newly arrived refugees in Bangladesh and people in need in Myanmar, as soon as humanitarian access to the latter is restored.

The EU continues to call for full humanitarian access and the respect for international human rights law in Myanmar,” said the EU commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management Christos Stylianides.

“The immediate restoration of humanitarian assistance in the northern Rakhine state is needed in order to address what is already a precarious humanitarian situation, and to avoid an escalation of the crisis,” he said.

“I thank the government and people of Bangladesh for their hospitality in sheltering many refugees. The European Union remains committed to support those who are forced to flee their homes during these difficult times”, said the commissioner.

The EU has been providing humanitarian support in Myanmar and Bangladesh for many years. Since 1994, the European Commission has provided €232 million in humanitarian aid to Myanmar. Since 2007, the total EU humanitarian aid to Bangladesh stands at 153.6 million.

Annan Commission recommendations

Myanmar assures EU of implementation

The government of Myanmar has reassured the European Union (EU) that it will start taking steps to implement the recommendations of the Annan Advisory Commission, headed by former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, from this week, according to a statement issued by EU high representative/vice-president Federica Mogherini and forwarded by the office of the EU delegation in Dhaka yesterday. At the same time, Naypyidaw has assured the bloc of 28 countries that it will provide humanitarian access to the troubled areas. I am following the dramatic developments in Rakhine State and at the border region in Bangladesh closely. The European Union has raised its concerns as recently as last Friday in direct contacts with Myanmar government members, said the statement. As I stated in my statement a few days ago, the priority is now to obtain immediate humanitarian access again, and to address in parallel the root causes of the conflict by implementing the Annan Advisory Commission recommendations to this end, it said. On both accounts we were reassured that there will be implementing steps this week, which I expect to happen, it added. We are in close contact with Bangladeshi authorities and are stepping up our humanitarian engagement there, said the statement. Meanwhile, the EU has stepped up humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh and Myanmar to deal with the crisis that saw about 4 lakh Rohingyas to flee their homes in Rakhne State. As more and more refugees arrive in Bangladesh from Myanmar, the European Commission announces additional humanitarian aid of 3 million to address the most pressing needs of the Rohingya civilians, said a EU press statement. The funding comes on top of the 12 million announced in May 2017 when Commissioner Stylianides visited Rakhine State in Myanmar, it said. The European Union is providing further emergency humanitarian aid as the situation continues to be critical. This additional funding will help provide emergency shelter, water, food and health assistance for the newly arrived refugees in Bangladesh and people in need in Myanmar, as soon as humanitarian access to the latter is restored. The EU continues to call for full humanitarian access and the respect for international human rights law in Myanmar, said the EU commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management Christos Stylianides. The immediate restoration of humanitarian assistance in the northern Rakhine state is needed in order to address what is already a precarious humanitarian situation, and to avoid an escalation of the crisis, he said. I thank the government and people of Bangladesh for their hospitality in sheltering many refugees. The European Union remains committed to support those who are forced to flee their homes during these difficult times, said the commissioner. The EU has been providing humanitarian support in Myanmar and Bangladesh for many years. Since 1994, the European Commission has provided 232 million in humanitarian aid to Myanmar. Since 2007, the total EU humanitarian aid to Bangladesh stands at 153.6 million.