On Tuesday 23 May – the day before the second session of the 21st Century Panglong Union Peace Conference (see EUROPE 11612) – the European Union encouraged the stakeholders to step up their efforts for an inclusive peace in Burma.
"As a formal witness to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, the European Union encourages all stakeholders, including the government, the armed forces and ethnic armed groups, both signatory and non-signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, to further intensify efforts towards increasing the inclusive nature of the peace process and to work together constructively and in a spirit of compromise to secure a peaceful and prosperous future" for the country, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service said in a press release.
"The cessation of hostilities by all sides would send a very positive signal in this respect, would open the way for dialogue and negotiation, and would help to foster stability in the country", the spokesperson added, saying that the conference "offers a unique opportunity for all actors to work together to advance sustainable peace, equitable development and the wider consolidation of the democratic reform process". (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)