The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and the Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party (MNTJP/MNDAA) met and held discussions yesterday morning at the meeting hall of the Horizon Lake View Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw.
Speaking at the meeting, NSPNC Chairman Lt-Gen Yar Pyae said that it was the first meeting with the MNDAA in Nay Pyi Taw since the President extended an invitation for peace, noting that Kokang Special Region 1 had previously been designated as the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, that mutual trust had existed in the past and that, following the outbreak of conflict in 2009, a shared desire to resolve issues through political means had emerged, while emphasizing the need to pursue political measures, properly implement the Kokang Self-Administered Zone for national solidarity, build mutual trust and openly discuss and address the long-term aspirations of the MNDAA to promote mutual understanding, given that the Kokang people are an indigenous ethnic group of Myanmar and have already been granted a self-administered zone.
He noted that trust requires mutual reliance, adding that regional instability causes losses for residents and that regional stability is essential for development, while suggesting that matters difficult to decide immediately could be carried forward to future discussions to build trust, with both sides seeking solutions together through open and frank discussions grounded in mutual trust.
In response, U Phon Win Naing, MNTJP Politburo member, GeneralSecretary 2 and Head of the Liaison Department, expressed his deep honour and joy at arriving in Nay Pyi Taw and having the opportunity to meet, extended sincere thanks to the NSPNC for its multifaceted efforts to promote peace and facilitate the meeting, welcomed the inclusive, independent and precondition-free approach to peace, and noted that peace is the common goal of the entire populace and the fundamental foundation for State stability, development and the peaceful livelihoods of all citizens, while observing that prolonged conflicts have caused immense suffering for the people, that history shows how easily disagreements and armed conflicts can arise, and that fostering peace and regional development requires great magnanimity from all stakeholders, stressing the importance of cherishing hard-won peace and regional stability, resolving differences through dialogue, enhancing mutual trust and exploring opportunities for nationwide peace and stability, and expressing hope that dialogue would preserve the current stability and create favourable opportunities for political talks.
U Phon Win Naing affirmed that, firmly anchored in the political stance of non-disintegration of the Union and ethnic equality, the party pursues the establishment of a genuine self-administered special region where all ethnic groups can live together in peace and stability, while making every effort through peaceful means to promote regional stability, development and social welfare, fostering a positive and peaceful environment, noting that communication and exchanges of views between representatives of both sides would consolidate regional stability and mutual trust, expressing full support for State-building projects that benefit the country, and conveying a strong desire to strengthen mutual trust through existing dialogue channels, work jointly towards national stability and promote the stability of the nation and the peaceful coexistence of all citizens.
The attendees subsequently discussed matters concerning the non-disintegration of the Union, the non-disintegration of national solidarity, the building of a democratic and federal Union, achieving peace through inclusive, independent and precondition-free dialogue, self-administered zones, the political legitimacy of the MNDAA, ethnic equality, the reopening of border trade gates, the implementation of cross-border projects, cooperation to combat online scams and narcotics, collaboration on national security and development, strengthening mutual trust and the prospect of establishing a political party to contest elections.
Following the discussions, NSPNC Secretary Lt-Gen Min Naing provided explanations and clarifications on the political resolution of political problems through dialogue, regional development and stability initiatives, the guidance of the President and the continuation of political negotiations through trust-building measures based on State stability, while also responding to points raised by the MNDAA.
After the records of the bilateral discussions were finalized, both sides signed and endorsed the official meeting record. U Phon Win Naing expressed his thanks, while NSPNC Chairman Lt-Gen Yar Pyae delivered the closing remarks, concluding the meeting. Also present at the meeting were NSPNC members and officials from the MNTJP/MNDAA. — MNA/TH
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar