Myanmar and the European Union have vowed to cooperate closer to ensure peace in the Southeast Asian country, saying that it is a historic moment for all who join hands to work for peace.

The pledge was made in a joint statement issued by the Minister responsible for Myanmar’s Presidential Office, U Aung Min, and the European Commission’s President Jose Manual Barroso, at the Myanmar Peace Centre (MPC) in Yangon, on November 3.

All concerned hope that the MPC will be a key factor in achieving just and lasting peace in Myanmar .

To support the MPC, the EU says it will provide 700,000 EUR, with a more substantial package being allocated later this year.

The EU has ringfenced 30 million EUR for Myanmar 's ethnic peace process in 2013.

Earlier the same day, Myanmar President U Thein Sein met with Barroso in Nay Pyi Taw.

Barroso also held talks with speaker of the House of Representatives U Shwe Mann and opposition leader and parliamentarian Aung San Suu Kyi.-VNA