October 26, 2019

Director-General U Zaw Htay of the Ministry of Office of the State Counsellor held a regular press conference at the Presidential Palace yesterday.

State Counsellor’s itinerary
He first talked about the State Counsellor’s visit to Japan to attend the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito. He said the trip was able to promote existing relations between Myanmar and Japan and communications between the leaders of both nations.
U Zaw Htay said the State Counsellor attended a Myanmar investment forum where she met with Japanese companies and entrepreneurs and succeeded in explaining investment prospects and extending invitations to invest in the country. He said the State Counsellor will be attending the 35th ASEAN Summit in Thailand from 31 October to 4 November.

Peace process still on track
Next, U Zaw Htay talked about the peace process. He said they have held multiple meetings with signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).
He said the UPDJC secretaries and JICM have discussed on a draft list of agreements during the visits to Norway and Switzerland.
He said the preliminary coordination meeting yesterday achieved some agreements. He said they have also met with leaders of non-signatories as well. He said they have agreed to arrange a meeting between the Northern Alliance and Union Government, the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre within the month of October. He said they have made informal decisions on the nature of the talks and when it might take place.
Q&A with media
The Director-General then answered to questions raised by media professionals. The questions include the state of domestic criminals on the run, taking action against the businesses of these fugitives, more on the peace process, whether the American Assistant Secretary of State will visit Myanmar, whether action has been taken towards the leaked notification from the President’s Office concerning security, the status of the Tagaung mining project, whether all the leaders of ethnic armed organizations will attend the 4th anniversary celebration of the NCA, the progress of ensuring ethnic citizens without NRCs and valid documents still receive full rights, progress on terminating the War Sein Taung mining project, the alluvial soil issue in Magway Region, recent fighting in Rakhine State, the construction of the Government Technical Institute in Nay Pyi Taw, whether journalists will be allowed to access the areas where fighting is taking place in Rakhine State, and other matters. — MNA  (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)