At the meeting, the UPWC and various political parties discussed topics such as the framework for future political dialogue and implementation of the nationwide ceasefire, according to U Hla Maung Shwe, a senior advisor to the MPC.

“This is the first time the UPWC has met with political parties like this. The purpose of this meeting is for the political parties to get involved in future political talks that the UPWC is currently discussing with the NCCT,” said U Hla Maung Shwe in an interview with IMNA. The NCCT is a 16-member group which has been negotiating a nationwide ceasefire with Naypyidaw on behalf of armed ethnic groups, and the NCCT is expected to meet the UPWC again on August 15-16 to discuss the nationwide ceasefire agreement.

According to Saw Than Myint, Vice Chairman of the Federal Union Party, political talks should not be held only between armed ethnic groups and government bodies, but should also include political parties. It’s vitally important, says Saw Than Myint, for political parties to be involved in various aspects of the peace talks, framework drafting, and political dialogue.

“Political parties must be involved when union-level political talks are held. Currently, only informal-level talks are occurring, so the political parties aren’t involved yet, but they will get involved in the important union-level talks soon. The UPWC is now meeting with political parties to prepare for these future talks,” said Saw Than Myint in an interview with IMNA.

The NCCT recently developed 10 principles at a meeting in Laiza, the town in Kachin State where the Kachin Independence Organization has its headquarters. The principles underscore the need to hold union-level meetings in the form of tripartite talks between the government, armed ethnic groups, and political parties after a nationwide ceasefire has been signed.

“[Political parties such as the] Nationalities Brotherhood Federation have requested a five-party dialogue, whereas the NCCT is pushing for a tripartite dialogue. But actually the positions [of the armed ethnic groups and the political parties] aren’t so different because the five-party approach divides political parties into two groups and includes civil society organizations and academic experts,” said Saw Than Myint

At the meeting on Monday, UPWC Vice-Chairman U Aung Min said that political parties need a chance to consider their positions with respect to the political framework and the issues expected to be discussed during future political talks. As such, U Aung Min says that more meetings will be held with political parties.

Representatives from 67 of Burma’s 68 political parties participated in Monday’s meeting with the UPWC.