While the perspectives of minority groups should be duly respected, it is equally essential to uphold and honour the collective will of the majority in the spirit of fairness and unity.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing underscored that acting on what is necessary and feasible, rather than merely desired, serves the best interests of the State.

Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received ethnic armed organizations which attended the peace talks at the Bayintnaung Villa in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning. At the meeting, the Senior General extended greetings. He stated that he had already conveyed what was necessary at the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) anniversary ceremony. The NCA was drafted based on consultations with ethnic groups and their respective demands. Although efforts had been made from the beginning to fully implement the NCA, progress was delayed during the tenure of the second democratic government for various reasons. During the period when they assumed responsibility, some ethnic armed organizations were still in positions where Tatmadaw was serving the State duties, which hindered continued negotiations and slowed the peace process. He emphasized that they are committed to implementing the peace process as quickly as possible. He continued that, during the intervening periods, he personally and through his delegation held discussions with ethnic armed organizations. He also expressed agreement regarding the amendment to the Constitution, noting that certain updates are necessary to reflect the current era. Accordingly, meetings were held with the responsible authorities to discuss constitutional amendment work. He emphasized that, just as preliminary discussions are needed, approval in the Hluttaw is also required to enact the amendments. He expressed gratitude to all who came forward to cooperate in reviving the momentum of the NCA and stressed that everyone must work together for the good of the nation.

EAO delegates cordially reported that as NCA signatories, they will cooperate in restoring peace in the nation through the NCA route. They pledged to continue participation in the efforts for development initiatives of the State and to forge peace and stability. They also discussed further processes for the NCA route under the leadership of the State and Tatmadaw, participation in the successful holding of the free and fair multiparty democratic general election, which is crucial for initiating the peace process, continuous attendance at the peace dialogues, further cooperation in peace processes and development undertakings together with the government, which will emerge after the election.

In his discussions, the Senior General noted that in order to continue fully implementing the NCA, it is necessary to have an elected government and a functioning Hluttaw. Since the initial signing, the Hluttaw, government, Tatmadaw, political parties, and ethnic armed organizations all signed the NCA. It is essential that all groups involved in the NCA participate. Accordingly, efforts are being made to successfully hold the elections. In this regard, elections must be free, fair, and credible. Measures are being taken to prevent errors in voter lists, to allow all eligible voters to cast their votes, and to facilitate voting through the Myanmar Electronic Voting Machines (MEVM), which cannot be tampered with.

He stressed that the NCA has been implemented based on the 2008 Constitution, which remains the strongest legal framework at present. Necessary amendments to the Constitution will be made as required. While practising democracy, it is essential to adopt a system that suits the country, and similarly, within the federal system, efforts will be made to coordinate and achieve the best outcomes despite existing differences. He also noted that, during the 1988 period, the people demanded that the State move forward on the path of a multiparty democratic system, and Tatmadaw facilitated progress along that path. In doing so, care was taken to ensure that the rights of ethnic groups were not lost, in building the Union on the foundations of both democracy and federalism. Everyone should prioritize and act on what should be done and what is possible over what they merely wish to do. This is especially important for the peace and stability of the nation, which should be pursued with the spirit of the Union. Tatmadaw will never accept the secession from the country and will uphold Our Three Main National Causes. While the views of minorities should be respected, the wishes of the majority must also be honoured. Acting on what is necessary and feasible, rather than merely desired, serves the best interests of the State.

He highlighted that since the country gained independence, the people have not yet fully experienced the fruits of that freedom. Compared to other countries of similar size, population, and economic foundation, Myanmar has lagged far behind. Therefore, everyone must continue to work together for the betterment of the nation.

After the meeting, the Senior General presented commemorative gifts to the Ethnic Armed Organizations and posed for documentary photos.

Also, present at the meeting were Commission Vice-Chairman Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Commander-in-Chief (Army), Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Commission Secretary and Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo, Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) Chair Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Commission member Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Kyaw Swa Lin, and senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief. Ethnic Armed Organizations which attended the Peace Talks were Chair of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) Saw Mra Raza Lin, Adjutant General Saw Sein Win of Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), Vice-Chair of Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army-Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC) Dr Naw Kapaw Htoo, Chair of Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) Kya Solomon, Central Committee member of New Mon State Party (NMSP) Nai Banyar Mon, Secretary 1 Sao Sai Ngin and Central Executive Committee member Sao Saung Han of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), U Khun Okkar and U Myo Win who signed the NCA and representatives of ethnic armed groups which were also present at the meeting.— MNA/TTA