On Tuesday 30 August, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini hailed the progress made by Burma/Myanmar over recent months at making its peace process inclusive, and she said that the success of Myanmar's transition depended on an end to the conflict.
In a press release, Mogherini stated that the 21st Century Panglong Union Peace Conference from 31 August until 5 September "marks an important milestone in the advancement of peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar". "The conference should build upon the shared commitment of the attendees – government actors, the army and leaders of ethnic armed groups alike – to resolving grievances through dialogue rather than armed conflict", she said. She added that it "should open a new path towards sustainable peace, equitable development and the wider consolidation of the democratic reform process, as is the demand of the people of Myanmar."
Mogherini also said that while much progress had been made, the country still faced challenges. "Ongoing clashes, especially in the north of the country, result in continued human suffering and undermine confidence in the peace process. Fighting must cease and disputes [must be] resolved through negotiation", she said. All stakeholders, including signatories and non-signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, must work together "for a peaceful future, in a constructive and forward-looking spirit", she added.
Stating that the European Union would continue to support all efforts towards peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar, Mogherini announced that the EU was "ready to help both politically and through our contribution to the Joint Peace Fund" . "Only in a peaceful, stable Myanmar can socio-economic development initiatives be successful and lift people out of poverty by creating new opportunities for all", she said. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)