Myanmar president meets political forces on nationwide peace, development

Myanmar President U Thein Sein met some leaders of the country's political forces here Monday morning for discussions on major domestic issues concerning peace and development.

The meeting, attended by representatives from the government, parliament, the military, the Union Election Commission and political parties, is expected to focus on democratic reform, peace process, commencement of national reconsolidation-based dialogue, the 2015 general election and peaceful transition.

Participants include speakers of the two parliament houses U Shwe Mann and U Khin Aung Myint, Defense Chief Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the Union Election Commission U Tin Aye, Vice Chairman of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party U Htay Oo and Chairperson of the opposition National League for Democracy Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as representatives of ethnic parties and regional ethnic affairs ministers.

The meeting is a follow-up of a five-party talks that took place on Oct. 31, 2014, involving the government, parliament, political parties, the military and the Union Election Commission, which ended without any specific outcome.

In another meeting with representatives of 12 ethnic armed groups in Nay Pyi Taw earlier this month, U Thein Sein expressed hope that a nationwide cease-fire accord could be signed on Feb. 12, Myanmar's Union Day, after the draft nationwide cease-fire accord is finalized.

Peace negotiators of the Myanmar government and ethnic armed groups are yet to hold their 7th round of formal talks to finalize the draft nationwide cease-fire. Endi