Door for peace talks open to armed groups in Myanmar: presidential spokesman

1/9/2019 - 11:44:16 AM

The door for peace talks is always open to the armed groups, said spokesman of Myanmar's Presidential Office U Zaw Htay late on January 7 in Nay Pyi Taw.

This handout picture released by Myanmar State Counselor Office shows a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Oct. 15, 2018. (Source: Xinhua/Myanmar State Counsellor Office)

He said the pursuit of peace through the Peace Commission would not be blocked.

He reiterated the government welcomes political dialogue on nationalities' rights, equality and federal rights at the 21st Century Panglong Peace conference.

The armed group Arakan Army (AA) launched coordinated attacks on the four border police outposts in Nga Myin Baw, Kyaung Taung, Ka Htee Hla and Goke Pi villages in Buthidaung, Rakhine state on Friday morning, killing 13 police and wounding nine others.

Meanwhile, President U Win Myint chaired a coordination meeting on Myanmar's international relations, national security, Rakhine state and border security issues at the Presidential Palace on January 7 following the incident.

The meeting was attended by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, two vice presidents and Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of the Myanmar armed forces, among others.

The presidential office has instructed to reinforce the security forces in the conflicted areas, U Zaw Htay said.

Meanwhile, Myanmar's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) condemned on January 6 the recent attacks by the AA on the four border police outposts as acts of terrorism, which caused negative impact on the peace and stability in the state and significantly affecting the national reconciliation and peace process.

Source: NDO

Optimistic signals of the world economy

The world economy has overcome a challenging year, but has proven more resilient than expected. The Financial Times (UK) commented that 2023 was a positive year for the world economy as the economic surprise index collated by Citigroup shew that actual data have underwhelmed economists’ predictions for much of the past months. These economic trends are the basis for optimism about the world economy in 2024.

Laos announces theme, logo of ASEAN Chairmanship 2024

Laos has announced the theme and logo for its the Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2024.

Vietnam elected Vice President of UNESCO General Conference

Vietnam was elected a Vice President of the 42nd session of the UNESCO’s General Conference, representing the Asia-Pacific, on November 8.

Safe and responsible use of AI promoted

Since the "blockbuster" ChatGPT was launched a year ago, the prospects for the development of artificial intelligence (AI), as well as concerns about the risks from this technology, have become hot topics in the technology world.

Successfully completing the training program to improve the capacity of implementing the Government’s policy in Korea

(HBO) - From September 12 - 23, in Seoul, South Korea, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) organized a training program under the project "Supporting the Academy of Journalism and Communication to improve the the capacity of implementing the Govermmment’s policy” in phase 2 with the coordination and the coordination of Hyundai Research Institute (HRI).

KOICA fellowship programme 2023 opens in Republic of Korea

(HBO) – The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) opened a fellowship programme in Seoul on September 13 under Phase 2 of a project that helps Vietnam’s Academy of Journalism and Communication (AJC) enhance its capacity of implementing government policies.