Myanmar's President Thein Sein signalled that he intends to pursue his ambitious reform program beyond national elections in November to the end of his current term in early 2016, and rejected recent charges that reforms had stalled and the process was backsliding the Nikkei Asian Times reported on 30 July.
In an interview with the Nikkei Asian Review on Wednesday, the president confirmed a change in his earlier intention to retire after his current term, saying he would be willing to serve a second presidential term. That, however, would depend on “the country's situation, the prevailing circumstances, and wishes of the people.’’
Among what he described as top priorities in the final stages of his government, Thein Sein gave the strongest indication so farthat he believed a nationwide ceasefire agreement could be finalized with ethnic armed groups before the 8 November poll. He also outlined plans to deepen Myanmar's diplomatic ties with neighbouring countries and step up economic development focusing on the manufacturing sector -- particularly small and medium enterprises.