Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi (Source: allsbnews.blogspot.com)Hanoi (VNA) – A meeting of armed ethnic groups in Myanmar will be held in the northern state of Kachin on July 26 in preparation for the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference scheduled for late August in Nay Pyi Taw, local media reported on July 10.
The decision was made at a meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand on July 8 between representatives of eight signatories and nine other non-signatories to the Nationwide Cease fire Accord (NCA).
According to the Preparatory Committee for the conference, the country’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi will meet representatives of non-signatory armed groups on July 17 to talk about the country’s peace process.
The committee has outlined the policy guidelines for the peace process which include allowing NCA non-signatory groups to join the Panglong Conference, relaxation of restriction on inviting political parties that do not hold a parliamentary seat to the conference and functions of the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) in dealing with international sponsors and their assistance to the peace process.
The Myanmar government and eight armed ethnic groups out of 15 signed the NCA on October 15, 2015.-VNA
