The Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting (JICM) on the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement began planning the formation of a Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee, which will draft a framework for holding political dialogue as part of efforts for the peace process, the Global New Light of Myanmar reported on 18 November.
Vice President Dr Sai Mauk Kham said that the second meeting held yesterday in Nay Pyi Taw was another step towards implementing the nationwide ceasefire agreement, which was signed on 15 October with the government and eight ethnic armed groups.
Meetings for drafting the framework for political dialogue are scheduled to start before 14 December, 2015. Political dialogue is expected to start before 14 January, as it must begin within 90 days after the political framework is signed by the joint committee.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Vice-President Dr Sai Mauk Kham said that there was no fighting between the army and the eight ethnic armed group signatories since the ceasefire had been signed on 15 October.
He also pledged that the current government would implement the NCA agreement in line with the NCA’s timeline during the remaining term of the government, as part of efforts for laying down good foundations for the next government, the report said.