Myanmar drafts dialogue framework

Hanoi (VNA) – The Myanmar Government and ethnic armed groups met to draft a 10-point dialogue framework at the Myanmar Peace Centre on November 29.

This formed part of a four-day meeting of the Tripartite Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC), starting on November 27.

According to the Myanmar Peace Centre, the discussed 10 points include the framework’s basic principles, stakeholders’ representation and participation in political dialogue, a decision-making method, dialogue management, the signing of a union agreement, and the implementation process.

Under the set timeline of the ceasefire term, the drafting work is expected to be completed by December 14 and a formal dialogue is set before January 14, 2016.

Prior to the establishment of the UPDJC, the union-level Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee (JCMC) was formed to implement the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) which was signed by the Government and eight ethnic armed groups on October 15.

According to the NCA, the two sides agreed on post-ceasefire steps and completion of the peace process between the Government and the seven remaining ethnic armed groups.

When the NCA is officially signed, the two sides will draw up a political framework within 60 days and start a political dialogue within 90 days.-VNA