A seven-point agreement was reached at a meeting between the National Reconciliation and Peace Center  (NPRC) and the Northern Alliance composed of four ethnic armed groups, in Kengtung Township in Shan State (East) yesterday (September 17), said Zaw Htay, Director-General of Ministry of State Counsellor Office.

“Both sides reached the seven-point agreement roughly. No plan to reveal it in detail. Our discussion covers the signing of the bilateral ceasefire agreement and seeking ways of how to end the ongoing fights. Another point is IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons), the deployment of troops and continued discussion with the army representatives over the rules and regulations to be followed by both sides to avoid renewed fighting. Both sides also agreed to control the outbreaks of renewed fighting and to establish a communication system and open liaison offices,” Zaw Htay added.

“The next point is the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). We agreed to continue discussing the conflict resolution system acceptable to both sides in order to negotiate ways of strengthening the ceasefire. Both sides agreed to meet in October,” he continued.

Brig-Gen Tar Phone Kyaw, General-Secretary of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said: “Today’s meeting is not much different from the results of the talks held in August 31.”

Dr. Nyo Tun Aung, Deputy Chief of the Arakan Army (AA) said: “The main point is we discussed the signing of bilateral agreement at the beginning of the meeting. Due to a delay caused by a misunderstanding about some points, we will not sign the bilateral agreement. Today, both sides reached an agreement over the facts to be included in the bilateral agreement. We will discuss these facts in the next meeting. For instance, the misunderstanding is that four groups will sign the bilateral agreement at the same time and place. Discussion will be made with four groups in the next meetings. Myanmar army side wants to hold separate discussions with each group. Our discussion pattern is to hold talks between the Tatmadaw and the AA and between the Kokant and Tatmadaw. If necessary, four groups will meet with the Tatmadaw and the NRPC. There is a few misunderstandings about the fact that who will participate in the talks.”