Hanoi (VNA) - Myanmar's President U Htin Kyaw on February 12 called for efforts to achieve durable internal unity and establishment of a democratic federal republic through the platform of the 21st Century Panglong Peace conference.
In his message on the occasion of the country's 71st anniversary Union Day, Htin Kyaw expressed his belief that these targets can be reached by negotiating and seeking solutions based on union spirit.
He stressed the need to have a firm economic foundation at the same time to bring about the continuous development of the country in all sectors such as politics, economy and society, citing the government's endeavours for the development of small and medium enterprises which constitute a large percentage of the country's economy.
Myanmar’s President urged cooperation among the government, the parliament, the armed forces, ethnic armed organisations, political parties, community-based organisations and the entire people of Myanmar in implementing the national reconciliation and peace process.
The country marked the 70th anniversary of the Union Day in Panglong, Shan state, where the historical Panglong Conference was held with the signing of the Panglong Agreement on February 12, 1947. With the agreement, Myanmar’s states of Shan, Chin and Kachin were liberated.
Myanmar finally regained independence on January 4, 1948.-VNA