Bangladesh is planning to sign four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the Myanmar government when a high-level team, headed by home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, visits the neighbouring country in the near future. The MoUs are aimed at resolving the Rohingya crisis, cross-border terrorism and drug trafficking.

The four MoUs are regarding the demarcation of the boundary of the Naf river, an instrument (official letter) handover, the border liaison office and the security cooperation dialogue, said sources in the home ministry. According to the sources, before visiting Myanmar, the Bangladeshi delegation wants to form the proposed joint working group (JWG) to start the process of the repatriation of Rohingyas who have taken temporary shelter in Cox’s Bazar.

The home minister is expected to visit Myanmar this month, although the date of visit will be finalised after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s return on October 7.

Kamal told The Independent that they want to resolve the Rohingya crisis and also sign four MoUs during the Myanmar visit.

“The secretaries of the Public Security Division and the Security Service Division of the home ministry, the inspector general of police, the director general of Border Guard Bangladesh, the director general of the Bangladesh Coast Guard and the director general of the Department of Narcotics Control will accompany me on the Myanmar visit,” he said. “The Bangladeshi ambassador in Myanmar is discussing with that country’s government the proposed date of the visit of the Bangladesh delegation,” he added.

Sources said Bangladesh wants a peaceful solution of the ongoing Rohingya crisis. During the recent visit of the minister for the office of the state counsellor, Kyaw Tint Swe, Myanmar agreed to form a JWG to start the repatriation process of the Rohingyas who have taken shelter in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has also urged Myanmar to implement the Kofi Annan Commission’s recommendations for a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis. So far, at least 509,000 Rohingyas have taken shelter in Bangladesh since August 25. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged world leaders to put pressure on the Myanmar government to take back their citizens who have entered Bangladesh.

The authorities concerned, especially the Department of Immigration and Passports and the district administration of Cox’s Bazar, aim to provide biometric identification cards to the Rohingyas within three months so that they cannot leave Cox’s Bazar.