President holds talks with ethnic groups
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Senior government leaders including President Thein Sein and Vice-President Dr Sai Mauk Kham met representatives of ethnic armed groups to discuss some outstanding issues related to recently agreed peace deals, Myanmar Peace Centre director Min Zaw Oo sai
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 66th Anniversary Union Day in held in Nay Pyi Taw on February 12.
The president received all those involved in the peacemaking process, including members of ethnic armed groups and delegates representing states and regions, in the afternoon.
The vice president later hosted a dinner for them in honour of Union Day, Dr Min Zaw Oo told the Eleven Media Group.
The president discussed the peace process with negotiators, concerned ministers and ethnic groups. The government desires to join hands with ethnic groups to make peace, the director added.
The Kachin Independence Organisation issued a statement on Wednesday saying that the KIO central committee will also seek round-table solutions to achieving genuine peace, equality and autonomy for all ethnic minorities in the country.
Thein Sein conveyed the message on February 4 when the government’s union level peace-making committee and the KIO held informal peace talks in the Chinese border town of Ruili, it said.
Thein Sein said in his message to KIO leaders that he viewed political dialogue as the only solution to promoting democracy across the union, ensuring a better society and creating genuine peace and autonomy for all the national races.
All the national races are living in the same country, but he understands there are different ideologies, he said.
The government has frequently announced that it will continue political dialogues, the message added.
The talks between the government and the KIO on February 4 were a sign of progress in the peace process, and the government is preparing to hold talks with the United Nationalities Federal Council, a coalition of ethnic groups, in Thailand this month, said Dr Min Zaw Oo.
