“If we cannot solve the problems in Rakhine State, it may affect the entire nation and also hurt the democratic transformation,” U Aung Min said in an opening address to the Arakan National Conference at Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State.

“We must achieve success because this is an historic conference,” he said in a reference to the gathering being the first of its kind in Rakhine since 1947. The conference will continue until May 1.

U Aung Min urged the people of Rakhine to cooperate with efforts by the Union government to strengthen stability and the rule of law in the state.

He also said ajoint Union-State Emergency Co-ordination Center established in late February was aimed at ensuring that co-ordination between government departments and international aid organisations was more effective.

“Rakhine nationals are encouraged to co-operate with the center,” U Aung Min said.

The Rakhine National Conference was held to set policies on state security and development issues, said U Zaw Aye Maung, the Yangon Region Minister for Rakhine Nationals.

U Zaw Aye Maung also called for an end to communal tensions in Rakhine.

“It is no longer a time for conflict, it is time to act according to the law,” he said.

Communal violence in Rakhine since June 2012 has claimed scores of lives and left tens of thousands of people homeless.

In late March, tensions over religious issues escalated into attacks on the offices and warehouses of international aid organisations in the Rakhine capital, Sittwe, forcing them to suspend operations and withdraw staff from the state.