Myanmar gov't, ethnic groups desire for finalization of ceasefire deal

Negotiators of Myanmar government and ethnic armed groups desired for finalization of a draft nationwide ceasefire accord (NCA), which is expected to be signed formally in near future, at the eighth round of ceasefire talks at the Myanmar Peace Center in Yangon on Wednesday.

During the three-day formal talks between the government's Union Peace-Making Work Committee (UPWC) and the ethnic group's Senior Delegation (SD), both sides will focus on finalization of NCA, all-inclusive in signing and the role of the signatories, said U Hla Maung Shwe, senior advisor of UPWC.

UPWC's Leader U Aung Min, who is also vice chairman and minister at the President's Office, also hoped for the positive result which brings about the actual signing of NCA during the 8th round talks.

"We are worried about ongoing fighting in Kachin, Shan and Kayin States although the ceasefire talks are in progress. All inclusiveness from government and ethnic armed groups in NCA's formal signing is also important," said SD's Leader Naw Zipporah Sein, who is also vice chairperson of Karen National Union (KNU).

The formal talks is a follow-up of an informal one held in Chiangmai on July 2-3 between the government's Myanmar Peace Center and ethnic armed organization's SD.

The government delegation is led by its Vice Chairman and Minister at the President's Office U Aung Min, while the SD is headed by Naw Zipporah Sein, vice chairperson of Karen National Union (KNU), involving members from Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and Chin National Front (CNF).

Moreover, the talks is expected to include negotiation on a set of amendments to the draft NCA by the ethnic side.

The draft NCA was preliminarily signed between the government's Union Peace-Making Work Committee (UPWC) and the ethnic groups' Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) at the end of March after conclusion of more than one year's negotiation on the NCA.

The government on its part has indicated readiness to complete the formal signing over the draft NCA as soon as possible once it is adopted by top leadership of the ethnic side.

According to the draft NCA, the formal NCA signing by leaders of both sides is to be further forwarded to the parliament for approval and a framework for political dialogue is also to be drawn within two months with the dialogue to take place within three months.

The peace process began in November 2013 when UPWC and NCCT met in Myitgyina, Kachin state's capital, for the very first time for the nationwide ceasefire talks, while the last 7th round of talks took place in Yangon in March. Endi