Myanmar gov't ready to finalize nationwide ceasefire agreement: president

Myanmar government is ready to finalize the nationwide cesaefire agreement and is waiting for the outcome from the ethnic summit, said Myanmar President U Thein Sein Monday.

With all parties accepting that the only way to resolve armed conflict is through a political solution, U Thein Sein pledged in his regular monthly radio speech to the nation best efforts to begin political dialogue as soon as possible.

Stressing that the upcoming 2015 general election will be a defining moment for the country's democratic transition, he urged political forces and the country people to do what they can to ensure the successful holding of the election and the success of democratic reform.

Myanmar ethnic leaders' summit kicked off in Panghsang, the self-administered zone of the Wa ethnic group in northern Shan state, last Friday to discuss and seek adoption of a draft nationwide ceasefire accord (NCA).

The draft NCA was preliminarily signed between peace negotiators of the government and ethnic armed groups at the end of March this year.

The six-day summit of ethnic leaders is being participated by leaders of 12 invited armed groups including Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Karen National Union (KNU), United Wa State Army (UWSA) and National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA).

Attending the summit were also leader of the ethnic groups' National Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) U Naing Han Thar and his deputy Padoh Kwe Htoo Win.

The draft NCA is yet to be formally signed after approval from top leadership of both sides. Endi