13 Aug

Athree-day preliminary meeting on holding the 9th Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting on Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement concluded yesterday at the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre in Nay Pyi Taw. 

During the three-day session, the two sides were able to make a decision for holding the 9th JICM meeting, and negotiate and amended matters related with holding the fourth session of the Union Peace Conference – 21st Century Panglong. 

We would like to express thanks to leaders of both sides for the positive results which ensured moving forward. The agreements were only finalized after both sides understood the concerns of each other.

Both sides understand that it is required for them to take time to make decisions over some points, such as future tasks and basic directives for building a federal democratic union, and the leaders of the ethnic armed organizations needed to seek agreement from their respective organizations. 

However, most points were agreed upon by the two sides at the negotiating table. We are confident that the consensus on the points, which have not yet been agreed to by both sides at the negotiating table, would be reached after the next session.

During the three-day session, 15 framework agreements for NCA implementation, which will be signed as part of Part-III of the Union Accord at the fourth session of the Union Peace Conference-21st Century Panglong, sub-titles under the eight titles for the step-by-step process for post-2020 period and five points for federal basic principles. 

Hence, the 9th JICM which is held today can be regarded as an important step and an important precursor for the successful convening of the 4th session of the Union Peace Conference - 21st Century Panglong.

It is very important for us this year to lay down priorities and action plans acceptable to all participants on ways to continue the implementation of the NCA and the peace process. 

The NCA belongs to all of the stake holders. It is necessary for all stakeholders who have signed the agreement to share responsibility and accountability. 

The main sources of armed conflicts were the inability to resolve the political problems. In the coming fourth session of the Union Peace Conference- 21st Century Panglong, we will attempt to solve the source of the armed conflicts through dialogue and with Panglong spirit.

To bring total peace to the people of Myanmar, who have borne the brunt of the more than 70 years of internal armed conflicts, it is very important to achieve political agreements that are acceptable to different forces.