YANGON, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Three programs for peace will be implemented effectively and harmoniously to establish a democratic federal union in the post-2020 period, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi said in her message to mark the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) on Thursday.
Suu Kyi, in her capacity as chair of the National Reconciliation and Peace Center, said that three programs -- national reconciliation and internal peace, democratic transition and establishment of a federal union, and implementation of the program for amendment of the Constitution will be implemented during the post-2020 period.
Under the programs, negotiations will be conducted with non-signatory Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) to reach ceasefire agreements and to bring them to the political negotiations while efforts will be made with increased momentum to consolidate the ceasefire agreements with NCA signatories.
Efforts will also be exerted to uplift the rights of ethnic nationalities and to ensure that legal reforms are in harmony and measures taken in the administrative sector will be aligned towards equal rights.
In dealing with the democratic transition and establishment of a federal union, thorough negotiations and discussions will be held for a program for political and security integration, implementation of mechanisms, the state counsellor said.
As for the third program, efforts will be made to formulate and implement programs systematically through consultations on how the Constitution should be amended, how the matter of drawing up state constitutions should be dealt with and how the program for security integration could be carried out harmoniously, she said.
The third part of the Union Accord was signed at the fourth session of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference which was held in August this year.
Suu Kyi stressed that the signed Union Accord Part III contains precise policies for implementation, practical programs, steps for implementation and the aspirations of the future union which are needed for building the democratic federation union in the post-2020 period.
Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of Defence Services, said in his message that the military will work together with the people in establishing a united and strong union based on democracy and federal system in line with the desire of ethnic people and urged all stakeholders to participate in the works for the lasting peace and sustainable development of the country.
The commander-in-chief also advised to elect capable candidates who can work for the country in genuine desire with a union spirit in the upcoming general election.
So far, 10 ethnic armed groups have signed the NCA with the government since it was initiated in Oct. 2015 and the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conferences has been held four times since 2016. Enditem
