Myanmar government and the ethnic Kayin National Union (KNU) have vowed to strive for reaching eternal peace, reaffirming that dialogue is the only way to pursue, the country’s state media reported on January 6.

The commitment was reached by President U Thein Sein and leader of the KNU Saw Mutu Sae Po when they held the first meeting of the year in the capital city of Nay Pyi Taw on January 5.

Both sides stressed the need for all the organisations to harmoniously strive to fulfill the aspiration of the people for peace.

At the meeting, the pair discussed progress on a nationwide ceasefire, ongoing programs for political dialogue and plan for building mutual trust.

Meanwhile, the second-round nationwide ceasefire talks between Myanmar government and 17 ethnic armed groups, originally scheduled for late December 2013 in Pha-an, capital of Kayin state, was put off until later this month.

It is hoped that a final nationwide ceasefire accord will be reached through the talks.

During their first round of talks held in Myitgyina, capital of northernmost Kachin state, last November, ethnic leaders presented to the government their 11-point ceasefire framework agreement, while the government put forward its draft ceasefire accord for future signing.

The ethnic armed groups' 11-point ceasefire framework agreement was produced out of their prior meeting in Laiza, Kachin state in October-November last year.

It was reported that leaders of the 17 ethnic armed groups planned to gather again in Hlaingbwe, Kayin state, soon for a three-day conference ahead of a ceasefire deal with the government.-VNA