2 August

Representatives from the Government and Ethnic Armed Organizations Signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement held a negotiation meeting at the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

NRPC Vice-Chairman and Union Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo made an opening remark at the meeting, saying that the UPDJC and JMC meetings play crucial role in peace making process.

He added the government and NCA-S EAOs have made agreements in the six meetings for implementing JICM agreements, and both sides will discuss holding parallel meetings of the State Level Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee in accordance with the decision number 1 of 8th JICM.

Sao Sai Ngin, the team leader of framework negotiation team leader from NCA-S EAOs, said that the government and his team are working for implementation of eight decisions from JICM.

He added more works are required to persuade the remaining ethnic armed groups into peace processes, and called for finding ways for the interest of Union, people and all the nationals.

After the meeting, Director-General U Zaw Htay said, “The meeting emphasized holding formal meetings and bilateral meetings in parallel which was agreed in the 8th JICM, especially JMC-U, UPDJC and JMC-S.

Both the Government and Tatmadaw has agreed this bilateral concept, he added, KNU has not decided to follow it, and that more discussion will be made on 2 August.

The director-general continued saying the Union Peace Conference has been scheduled from 19 to 21 August, and it should not be postponed any more as the political parties have their own programmes for electoral campaigns as the General Election will be held in November this year.

He finally confirmed the good health condition of the State Counsellor, denying the false news on social media about her health.

The meeting was attended by NRPC Vice-Chairman and Union Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo, NRPC members Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Lt-Gen Min Naung and Lt-Gen Tin Maung Win, Peace Commission advisors U Hla Maung Shwe and U Moe Zaw Oo, and Director-General U Zaw Htay from the Office of the Ministry of the State Counsellor.

Representatives of NCA-S EAOs peace negotiation team at the meeting were its team leader Sao Sai Ngin, coordinator U Myo Win, coordination members U Hla Htay, Dr Lyan Hmon Sar Khaung, Salai Hta Lar Hay, Saw Sein Win, Pado Saw Tardo Hmu, Pado Saw L Klu Sae, Kyar Saw Lamon, Nai Aung Ma Ngay and Khun Myint Tun.

The second day of negotiation meeting will convene at the same venue on 2 August. —Myo Myint, Han Lin Naing(Translated by Aung Khin)