The Myanmar government and some ethnic armed groups signed a six- point agreement for peace and national reconciliation in Nay Pyi Taw on February 12, according to Chinese news agency Xinhua.

Accordingly, relevant sides pledged to establish a union based on democratic and federal principles in a bid to reach a nationwide ceasefire agreement as soon as possible. This will pave the way for the comprehensive political dialogue process and create a framework for the dialogue which is slated to take place ahead of the 2015 general poll.

All sides also vowed to join hands to prevent clash and confrontation among armed groups during the armistice.

Earlier, the seventh negotiating round held in mid-January to draft a nationwide ceasefire was postponed due to the collision between government forces and Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

Recent fighting between government forces and the rebel group Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in Kokang, northern Myanmar from February 9 to 12 left 47 officers and soldiers dead and 73 others injured.

Tens of ethnic armed groups have been operating in the country since national independence in 1948. Despite significant progress in negotiations among the sides, a ceasefire commitment has not been reached yet.-VNA