DHAKA: Bangladesh wishes to hold talks on regular basis on security issue along the border to neighboring country Myanmar, said foreign ministry sources. 

The government has sent a draft memorandum of understanding on security dialogue in this regard.

According to the sources, the issue would be discussed at the 8th foreign ministry-level meeting between the countries, to be held at Dhaka on June 18.

Foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque will lead the Bangladesh delegation at the meeting.

A memorandum of understanding on security is likely to be singed between the countries by May and Bangladesh has already sent a draft proposal on the matter to its neighbor, added the sources.

The sources said Bangladesh is likely to emphasis to come up with a consensus in order to hold further talks on security issues in reducing the crisis of trust between the countries.

Issues related to Rohingya refugees, steps to stop cross-border drug smuggling, increase of bilateral trader relations, regional cooperation, trade and communication extension, and cooperation on gas and power sectors would also be discussed at the meeting.

Besides security talks, Bangladesh would also discuss the issue of border protocol at the meeting.

The first border protocol was singed between Pakistan and Barma (Now Myanmar) in 1966, in which Naf River was assigned as the border line between the countries.

Later, Bangladesh and Myanmar singed a supplementary border protocol on 1980 and completed the process to give an institutionalized shape to the protocol on 2007 though the agreement is yet take the institutionalized shape.

 The agreement covers different important issues related to construction of bribed wire fence, protection of border pillar and infrastructure development.

The 7th foreign ministry-level meeting was held at Naypyidaw on April 12, 2013.

BDST: 0958 HRS MAY 28, 2014