7 February

Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu received representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat and AHA Centre, yesterday afternoon, in Sittway Township, Rakhine State.

During the meeting, the representatives said that the ASEAN-Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT) would make an analysis of the repatriation process in accordance with the agreements between Myanmar and ASEAN, and management and supports from Myanmar, preparing for questionnaire to be used by ASEAN-ERAT team in cooperation with departments and giving support for the observation team.

Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu replied that efforts would be made to cooperate with the ASEAN for the repatriation process with genuine motives. The development of the whole Rakhine State is more crucial rather than giving humanitarian aids. If employment opportunities could be created, it would be beneficial to the residents in the Rakhine State. Moreover as an effort to render development works, it would be a great opportunity to conduct the development works.

Similarly, the representatives from the AHA Centre met on 5 February with the officials from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. In the meeting, they discussed matters relating to repatriation process of the Rakhine State and conducting workshops for the ASEAN-ERAT team in Myanmar.—MNA (Translated by Win Ko Ko Aung)