Representatives of the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT), led by Nai Hongsar, conducted an informal meeting with representatives from the Union Peace-Making Working Committee (UPWC), led by Minister U Aung Min of the President’s Office on Monday, 10th November in Nay Pyi Taw.
With the NCCT traveling to Nay Pyi Taw, hope has been revitalized that ceasefire talks will be able to gain momentum.
“What is special is that before, U Aung Min always had to travel to Chiang Mai. This time, the NCCT are traveling to Nay Pyi Taw to negotiate,” said U Hla Muang Shwe, senior advisor of the Myanmar Peace Center (MPC).
U Hla Muang Shwe continued that, at Monday’s informal talk, both sides negotiated as how to carry out points which were left unresolved from September’s last round of talks. Both the NCCT and UPWC agreed to schedule another round of talks at the end of this month, and hope that they may be able to reach some decisions during these upcoming talks.
He said: “The outcome from these talks is [the emergence of] truth. Both sides [now] understand how to approach one another. As they are informal talks both sides get to [make their] points.”
According to the NCCT leader Nai Hongsar, while the talks have stopped for a while because of some difficulties, the NCCT has now found a way to engage in informal meetings with the UPWC. The NCCT has traveled to meet the UPWC in Nay Pyi Taw to discuss both sides' points and perspectives.
“[Monday’s informal meeting was held] mainly to find a way for re-starting [nationwide ceasefire] talks. [Official] talks will take place at the end of this month, but the specific date has not been decided on yet. We, the NCCT, also need to have a meeting first. If talks are able to be finalized during the next round of talks, it depends on the UPWC, and how much it has changed,” said Nai Hongsar.
Members from the NCCT who joined Monday’s informal talk included NCCT leaders Nai Hongsar, Khun Okkar, Salai Htar Hay, and U Htun Zaw, while the UPWC was represented by Minister U Aung Min of the President’s Office, U Win Htun, U Khin Ye, and U Than Htay from the UPWC; representatives from the Myanmar Peace Center also attended the talk.
The NCCT and the UPWC met for 6th round talks in September. Both sides agreed to hold another talk in October but, due to various circumstances, the groups were unable to meet
