UPDJC meeting passes 14 points on major sectors

The Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) held a meeting at the Myanmar International Convention Centre II in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.

UPDJC Vice Chairs Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe, Dr Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong and U Thu Wai delivered the opening addresses.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe said the third session was held as a means of making collective efforts in building a Union based on democracy and federalism, and where the cause of democracy, equality and self-determination is fully guaranteed in accordance with the results of the political dialogue. At the dialogue, discussions were held under the Panglong spirit based on liberty, equality and justice in view of the non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty, which is the initial goal. The Union Minister said the participation of all relevant stakeholders at the meeting is an encouraging sign. The participants, including over 700 representatives, 29 invited persons, 104 observers, 27 members of the action group together with members of the support group made ardent efforts in holding sector-wise group meetings. The current meeting will discuss the issues that will be presented by the relevant sectors to the UPDJC. There are some issues where agreements have been reached among the relevant sectors and others where few parts still remain unsolved. More agreements may come out through compromises in the vital sectors. Talks on those issues should be made in detail through mutual understanding. Dialogue is actually about making a compromise. Keeping in mind the aspiration of the people, mutual coordination should be made on the remaining issues in support of the peace process.

Vice Chair Dr Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong said, “This conference has made follow-up conferences a possibility. We are so fortunate that the peace conference can be continued. But sadly, the past 70 years had not seen even a single conference like this one.”

“So, we must grab this opportunity without fail. It is a beneficial conference as it serves as an important step towards the continuation of the peace process.”

Vice Chair U Thu Wai expressed his happiness in seeing the delegates at the Union Peace Conference, taking part in the relevant group discussions and collective sessions with heart and soul until an agreement was reached. He said, “The discussions have further promoted democratic ideologies. In my view, the conference is a success. The peace process is gaining step-by-step success under the leadership of the UPDJC. Prospects are bright for the peace process to gain more success in the future also.”

Then the UPDJC meeting approved the discussions on political, economic, social, security, land and environmental issues and the final day programme of the Union Peace Conference— 21st Century Panglong (Third Session).

UPDJC Vice Chairs U Thu Wai and Dr Salai Lian Hmung Sakhong and Chair of the Peace Commission Dr Tin Myo Win delivered the concluding addresses.

During his address, Dr Tin Myo Win said the meeting passed 14 basic principles. The accords can be signed as the second part of the Union accord.

The meeting passed 14 points in connection with four major sectors—four points in political, one point in economic, seven points in social, two points in land and environmental issues.

The 14 points will be signed as the second part of the Union accord on the final day (today) of the Union Peace Conference— 21st Century Panglong (Third Session).

Present at the meeting were representatives of the Government, the Hluttaw and the Tatmadaw, who are the members of UPDJC, representatives of ethnic armed organisations, political parties and officials. In the evening, UPDJC members met the press.

Thura Zaw, Myo Myint (MNA)

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar