Efforts to initiate the peace process would focus on working with those willing to cooperate, while exploring ways and means to engage those with whom cooperation was more difficult.
Kayin ethnic leader Saw Mutu Sae Poe and leaders and representatives from ethnic armed organizations participating in signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) who attended the ceremony to mark the 11th Anniversary of NCA paid a courtesy call on President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing at the Presidential Palace Reception Hall in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
The President cordially greeted Kayin national leader Saw Mutu Sae Poe and leaders and representatives from ethnic armed organizations.
On the occasion, the President expressed his pleasure to welcome the leaders and representatives of the ethnic armed organizations attending the ceremony to mark the 11th anniversary of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). They have all maintained close relations since his previous tenure as Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, and they began holding meetings and discussions from that time onward.
He stated that the 43 agreements reached through discussions among the ethnic armed organizations that signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), the Tatmadaw and political groups would continue to be discussed and pursued in the Hluttaw. He stated that the Union Accord Parts I, II and III, which had been discussed and agreed upon at the Union Peace Conference during the term of the second democratic government, would continue to be discussed in the Hluttaw. He expressed his heartfelt pleasure that the meeting to mark the 11th anniversary of the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) had been successfully held that day. He emphasized that genuine peace was essential for the country, as it would pave the way for national development and progress.
He stated that since assuming the responsibilities of the President, he had paid state-level visits to nine countries, including India, China, Russia and Belarus, at the invitation of their respective leaders. During these visits, he had observed the peace, stability and development of those countries. He noted that Vietnam and Cambodia had previously experienced internal armed conflicts but had managed to bring those conflicts to an end and, despite facing difficulties, had worked hard to achieve national development. As a result, both countries had now become peaceful, stable and developing nations, offering valuable lessons for Myanmar. He expressed his desire to see Myanmar achieve peace, stability and development as well. He added that by learning from and emulating the efforts made by these countries to achieve peace, stability and development, Myanmar could undoubtedly attain similar progress.
He underlined that peace talks had been held during the term of the first democratic government in Myanmar and that, from the day invitations were first extended to initiate peace negotiations until the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), more than 5,000 meetings and consultations had taken place over a period of more than four years. He said that he had already told the Hluttaw that efforts would be made to achieve internal peace during the five-year term of his government. He explained that cooperation to initiate a peace process would be pursued with those willing to work together, while ways and means would also be sought to engage with those with whom cooperation was difficult. He added that he had previously emphasized the need to discuss what was possible and what should be done, rather than merely expressing what one wished to happen.
Following this, the leaders of the delegations of ethnic armed organizations who attended the meeting expressed their gratitude and pleasure at meeting the President on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). They discussed their continued cooperation in achieving internal peace along the path initiated by the signing of the NCA, emphasizing that peace was an essential requirement for the country and that development could only be achieved through peace. They also noted that the public was gradually becoming more aware of and recognizing that some groups were using peace as a pretext to take up arms and engage in acts of violence, and that ethnic communities no longer supported the armed struggle. They further discussed the current government’s efforts to achieve internal peace by taking the lead in seeking solutions through meetings and dialogue. They emphasized that armed groups genuinely wishing for peace should come forward to engage in dialogue and negotiations. They also pointed out that communities in ethnic areas were divided between those who wanted peace and those who sought to instigate armed conflict. They stressed the need to continue working together with the people who genuinely desired peace and wished to live and earn their livelihoods in a peaceful environment in order to achieve internal peace.
Furthermore, the President stated that his government had set and was implementing two political objectives: strengthening the multiparty democratic system and building a Union based on democracy and a federal system. He emphasized that all ethnic nationalities of the Union must participate in these efforts and that they should seek what is appropriate and achievable rather than simply demanding what they wish for.
The President noted that those lacking rational judgment are resorting to armed terrorism and committing terror acts, thereby destroying the development of their own regions and people. As they have also destroyed educational infrastructure vital to the nation’s future, schools in some areas have been forced to close. Since regional socioeconomic development can only be achieved when there is an abundance of educated individuals, it is essential to work toward increasing the number of educated people in every locality.
Images show President U Min Aung Hlaing presenting commemorative gifts to leaders and representatives of ethnic armed organizations.
He said that they were resolutely implementing the building of a Union based on democracy and federalism. He added that it was essential to emphasize the principle that a state did not belong to a single ethnic group, but to all ethnic peoples residing in that region, and to cultivate a true Union spirit. Furthermore, he noted that he genuinely desired peace for the nation and that, likewise, he wanted the Tatmadaw to be an armed force protecting the nation and its citizens, rather than one forced to fight against fellow ethnic brothers born of the same Union.
He continued that the current period was one in which the Government, the Hluttaw and the Tatmadaw were working together in unity and solidarity to build a developed nation, making it an opportune time to implement the peace process. Therefore, he urged all parties involved in discussions and efforts to achieve internal peace to work together for the interests of the Union rather than focusing solely on their own wishes and aspirations.
He stated that he had previously made it clear that, once ethnic armed organizations had achieved peace, they could participate in politics by establishing political parties in accordance with the law; engage in lawful business activities if they wished to pursue economic ventures; serve in border guard forces in cooperation with the Tatmadaw if they wished to undertake defence duties; or live peacefully and securely under the protection of the law as ordinary civilians if they so desired.
He underscored that armed groups must remain free from involvement in online scams and gambling, as well as drug-related activities. He added that the State would have zero tolerance for online scams, gambling and drug-related offences within the country and would take firm action to combat them in accordance with the law.
After the meeting, the President presented commemorative gifts to leaders and representatives of ethnic armed organizations and cordially greeted them.
Also present at the meeting were Union Minister for Defence and Chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Secretary Lt-Gen Min Naing, Lt-Gen Kyaw Ko Htaik from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, those who attended the ceremony to mark the 11th Anniversary of NCA and participated in signing the NCA including Kayin ethnic leader Saw Mutu Sae Poe, Chair of Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) Saw Mra Raza Lin, Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) Chief of Staff Saw Shwe Wa, Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) Kya Solomon, New Mon State Party (NMSP) Central Executive Committee member Nai Aung Mangae, Restoration Council of Shan State Secretary Sao Sai Ngin, Kayin National Union/Kayin National Liberation Army-Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC) First Secretary Saw Kyaw Nyunt, Shan State Progressive Party Central Committee member Sao Naw Leik, and Shanni Nationalities Unity Council Chair Sao Say Khun Aung. — MNA/TTA
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