Myanmar's state counselor calls for inclusion of key figures in ethnic conference

Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday called for inclusion of key figures of armed groups in the upcoming 21st Century Panglong Ethnic Conference.

Suu Kyi made the call when she met with the Panglong Conference Preparatory Committee in Nay Pyi Taw.

Reconciliation is not only be made between armed groups but also between ethnic nationalities, she stressed.

At the meeting, the preparatory committee chairman Dr Tin Myo Win briefed on the status of negotiation with non-ceasefire signatory armed groups and follow-up arrangement.

The meeting laid down policy guidelines for the peace process and coordinated with donors on their supplies to be distributed to areas in need.

The committee is making preparation for political dialogues and negotiations set to be developed at the Panglong Conference and issues related to citizens and civil society forums.

According to U Hla Maung Shwe, secretary of the preparatory committee, a review of political framework is set to be made in early August after a meeting between state counselor and non-signatory armed groups to the Nationwide Cease fire Accord (NCA) was slated for the middle of this month.

The non-signatory armed groups are represented by the United Nationalities Federal Council's (UNFC) Delegation for Political Negotiation(DPN).

The Myanmar government and eight signatory armed groups to the NCA have agreed to hold the 21st Century Panglong Ethnic Conference by the last week of August on the equal and non-secession basis.

Myanmar's former government and eight ethnic armed groups out of 15 signed the NCA on Oct. 15, 2015. Endit