Jakarta (ANTARA) - Rohingya refugees unfurl banners while participating in the commemoration of World Refugee Day in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Thursday (June 20, 2019). (ANTARA/REUTERS/Rafiqur Rahman/djo/wsj)
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi held a telephonic discussion on the safe repatriation of Rohingya refugees with UN Special Envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener in Bangkok on Wednesday.
"During the (telephonic) talks, we underscored the importance of repatriation, while on the other hand, we also see the issue of security as being of great significance," Marsudi noted in a media statement released on Thursday.
Marsudi and Burgener were on the same page that the Myanmar government should ensure the safe repatriation of Rohingya refugees.
Hence, Marsudi highlighted the significance of dialog between all involved parties and the Myanmar government, with assistance from the ASEAN.
"The dialog will build (mutual) confidence or at least information on preparations for the repatriation," she noted.
Burgerner lauded Indonesia for its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Southeast Asian region.
"He believes that Indonesia is highly committed to helping solve the issue," she noted.
Earlier, Marsudi had also discussed the repatriation of Rohingya refugees with Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Jakarta in mid-July 2019.
At the meeting, Marsudi stressed that the repatriation of Rohingya refugees should be conducted on a voluntary basis and not under pressure.
In the meantime, Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh refused to return to Myanmar, except on grounds that they are recognized as an ethnic group in their country of origin.
