Forum calls for holding political dialogue before election in Myanmar

Signatories to the Deed of Commitment for Peace and National Reconciliation has called at a forum for holding political dialogue before the 2015 general election and in the post-election period in Myanmar.

Government ministers, ethnic affairs ministers, 64 political parties, seven ethnic armed groups and people-centered organizations made the call in a statement of the peace and national reconciliation forum published here Sunday.

The participants also agreed to form a coordination team for peace and national reconciliation to realize the pledge in the deed of commitment signed by political forces in the country in February.

On Feb. 12, Myanmar President, two vice-presidents, speakers of both Houses of the parliament, 3 Defense officials, 15 ministers, 29 ethnic affairs ministers, the Union Election Commission Chairman, four ethnic armed groups out of 13 and 55 political parties out of 61 signed a six-point deed of commitment for peace and national reconciliation in Nay Pyi Taw.

The signatories pledged to build a union based on democratic and federal principles in line with the outcome of political dialogue, to strive for concluding nationwide ceasefire agreement as soon as possible which is vital for all-inclusive political dialogue process, to draw up framework for political dialogue to be held ahead of 2015 general election.

The signatories pledged to undertake jointly to prevent armed clashes and confrontations between various armed groups during the peace process.

Saturday's forum was organized by the Kayin National Union (KNU) and the Restoration Council of the Shan State (RCSS) of the Shan State Army (SSA).