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Myanmar gov't, ethnic groups to further negotiate next month

Xinhua, July 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

Myanmar government and ethnic armed groups have agreed to further negotiate on the finalization of a draft nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) in Myanmar in early August, said negotiators from both sides at a press conference held here Friday.

Both sides discussed all 13 amendments proposed by the ethnic side and most of the amendments were agreed upon at the three-day 8th round of talks between the government's Union Peace-Making Work Committee (UPWC) and the ethnic group's Senior Delegation (SD) .

They were hopeful of positive outcomes on the finalization of NCA.

UPWC's leader U Aung Min, who is also vice chairman and minister at the President's Office, said it is necessary to strive for the finalization of the peace deal which is expected to be formally signed in the near future.

The most difficult situation faced by both sides is all- inclusiveness of ethnic armed groups in formal signing of NCA, some negotiators said, adding that both sides are finding ways over the matter.

A joint statement issued Friday said negotiators from both sides are committed to striving for actual signing of NCA, holding political dialogue as soon as possible and achieving long-lasting peace in the country.

The UPWC side was led by U Aung Min while the ethnic group's Senior Delegation (SD) was headed by Naw Zipporah Sein, vice chairperson of Karen National Union (KNU).

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 over one-year negotiation on the NCA.

According to the draft NCA, once the formal NCA signing by leaders of both sides is implemented, a framework for political dialogue is 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 first time for the nationwide ceasefire talks, while the last 7th round of talks took place in Yangon in March. Endi