Dhaka, Dec 29 (UNB) - The Myanmar authorities on Tuesday agreed to repatriate soon around 9,000 of its nationals out of 28,000 who are staying in two camps in Cox’s Bazar as registered refugees.

Myanmar’s visiting Deputy Foreign Minister Maung Myint, who held foreign secretary level talks here with Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes, agreed to take back the refugees shortly as Bangladesh handed over a list of 28,000 Myanmar nationals registered by the UNHCR as refugees.

Briefing reporters on the outcome of the 4th Foreign Secretary level consultations, Mijarul Quayes said the remaining registered refugees will also be repatriated after verification by the Myanmar government about their nationality.

Quayes, who visited Naoapara and Kutupalong camps on Saturday (Dec 26), said that apart from 28,000 registered refugees, many Mynamar nationals sneaked into the country on economic reasons and are staying in makeshift camps in Cox’s Bazar as undocumented refugees.

The Foreign Secretary said they raised the matter during the talks and put pressure on the Myanmar side to take them back as early as possible.

The Myanmar side has no reservation to repatriate them back after verification of the nationality of these undocumented refugees.

The refugees, popularly known as Rohingyas from Myanmar state of Arakan, started entering the country since late 1991. So far, 236,000 refugees were sent back over the decades with the help of UNHCR.

Quayes said that during the talks, the Bangladesh side expressed willingness to import gas and electricity from Myanmar. The Myanmar side responded positively to the Bangladesh proposal to set up a joint venture hydroelectric project on its rivers.

About import of gas, the Myanmar side assured that the proposal would be considered if new gas field could be discovered.

Bangladesh also sought to import two lakh metric tons of rice - one lakh ton parboiled rice and one lakh ton “atap” (sunned) rice. Quayes said the two sides have agreed in principle on this matter.

On visa regime, the Myanmar side agreed to issue long-term multi-entry visa for Bangladeshi businessmen and extend the duration of border pass from 14 days to 30 days.

On border management, Quayes said the BDR chief will visit Myanmar next month to work out a mechanism between BDR and Nasaka to maintain the border security. There was discussion to establish link between the Western Commander of Myanmar and the GOC Chittagong.

On maritime boundary, he said a Myanmar technical delegation will come to Dhaka to discuss the matter on January 8-9. He said alongside the arbitration at the UN, both sides will make efforts to resolve the matter bilaterally.

Quayes said the issues of direct air and road links were discussed but there has not been any progress on this subject. The line ministries will follow it up.