Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for creating a good atmosphere for solving the Rakhine issue in Myanmar on Monday.
During his meetings with German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Frederica Mogherini, Wang said the Rakhine issue is a complicated one touching on history, and it's hard to solve it with one move.
He encouraged Myanmar and Bangladesh to properly solve the issue through friendly consultations, and called on the international community to create a good atmosphere for the efforts, rather than making the issue more complicated or spilled over.
The Chinese top diplomat said he had visited the two countries during the past a few days, adequately listened to opinions of the two sides, and put forward a three-phase solution which has been backed by both Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The most urgent task at present is to encourage the two countries to reach an agreement on repatriation of refugees fleeing to Bangladesh from Myanmar and implement the deal, he said. As a good friend of both the two countries, China is willing to continue to play a constructive role for this purpose.
The EU and German officials appreciated the idea that a proper solution to the Rakhine issue requires consultations between Bangladesh and Myanmar, and the fact that an initial agreement has been reached on repatriation of refugees.
The two senior diplomats expressed appreciation for the positive outcomes that China has made through diplomatic mediation, saying it demonstrated the unique role that the Chinese side plays in regional affairs.
Mogherini noted that the EU has no intention of pushing for a solution through exerting pressure or sanctions, adding that the EU hopes Bangladesh and Myanmar sign the agreement on repatriation of refugees as soon as possible.
She also expressed her willingness to offer assistance regarding the implementation of the agreement depending on the will of the two countries. Mogherini added that the EU is willing to maintain communication and coordination with China over the Rakhine issue.
At their meetings on the sidelines of the 13th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) foreign ministers' meeting, the Chinese foreign minister also exchanged views with Mogherini and Gabriel over situation on the Korean Peninsula, Iran's nuclear issue as well as other issues of mutual concern.
