EU teams due Feb 11 to discuss Rohingya issues

Five teams of Members of European Parliament (MEPs) comprising 14 MEPs are scheduled to visit Bangladesh fromFebruary 11to discuss trade and rights issues with special focus on Rohingya crisis.
They will visit Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar onFebruary 12, an official at the Foreign Ministry told UNB.
The official, however, did not elaborate about the EU teams which will be visiting Bangladesh.
European Union is likely to come up with more pressure on Myanmar this month so that it acts promptly and creates an environment for the sustainable return of Rohingyas to their homeland from Bangladesh. “I’m sure there’ll be new (EU) council conclusions on Myanmar in February. I hope there’ll be more pressure. The only thing is to put more pressure on Myanmar,” EU Head of Delegation Ambassador Rensje Teerink told UNB recently. In October last year, the Council of the EU in its conclusions said it may consider additional measures if the situation does not improve but also stands ready to respond accordingly to positive developments. However, it is yet to know what the conclusions will contain-whether it will be arms embargo or targeted sanctions on Myanmar government and army. On January 16, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a document on ‘Physical Arrangement’ which will facilitate the return of Rohingyas to their homeland from Bangladesh. The ‘Physical Arrangement’ stipulates that the repatriation will be completed preferablywithin two yearsfrom the start of repatriation.