The First Meeting of Myanmar-Thailand Joint Technical Working Group on the preparation of the return of verified Myanmar nationals from Thailand was held in Nay Pyi Taw on 22 April 2019. The Meeting was co-chaired by U Myo Thant Pe, Director General of the Consular and Legal Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Mrs. Kanchana Patarachoke, Director General, Department of International Organizations, Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Myanmar officials were comprised by the officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representative of Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Border Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and the authorities from respective State and Region Government Office. Thai delegation was composed by the officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand International Cooperation Agency-TICA, Ministry of Interior and Royal Thai Armed Forces.

During the meeting, both sides discussed to continue effective collaboration between technical working Group levels and to carry out the schemes for the repatriations process and guidelines which were laid down by Joint Working Group. And also both side discussed to receive the verified Myanmar nationals systematically as well as to maintain the future cooperation for the sustainable repatriations. Additionally, regarding the National Verification Process and legally employment in Thailand were also discussed at the meeting. The meeting agreed on the 4th Batch of repatriation process for Myanmar Displaced Persons at the last week of May 2019 based on friendship and good neighborliness.—MNA