Hanoi (VNA) - Myanmar Social Welfare Minister Win Myat Aye said Rohingya refugees will return to Myanmar as early as possible although the repatriation process is stagnating and the UN warned that their safety is not ensured.

The minister made the statement after visiting the Kutupalong camp of Rohingya Muslims in Cox’s Bazar of Bangladesh.

Talking to the press in Dahka capital after meeting with Bangladeshi officials, Aye expressed his belief that the two sides can address impending difficulties to start the repatriation process as early as possible.

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmood Ali, head of the negotiating delegation of Bangladesh on this issue, affirmed that the two sides vowed to enforce the repatriation agreement reached last year.

This was the first time a cabinet member of Myanmar had visited a camp of Rohingya refugees since the two countries began security operations following attacks by gunmen in Rakhine State in August 2017.

Violence in this area forced 700,000 Rohingya people to flee into Bangladesh to seek shelter. In November last year, the two countries agreed on the time for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees and the establishment of an expert group to supervise the process.

However, UN agencies warned that Rohingya refugees may be in danger as current conditions in Myanmar are not yet conducive for their voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return.-VNA 
VNA