Statement from the meeting with President U Thein Sein

President U Thein Sein met this evening with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg in the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw. The talks included discussions on the ongoing peace efforts in Myanmar.

President U Thein Sein briefed Prime Minister Stoltenberg on the the progress made thus far towards not only democratic government and sustainable development, but also towards a just and lasting peace.

The President emphasized that peace is now finally within reach, after more than sixty years of civil war, and that it was vital that this opportunity not be lost. He said though that the challenges ahead “will be complex and difficult” and that “no one should underestimate the hard work and tough choices that lie ahead”.

He also said that reaching peace will mean tackling many and varied issues, including some that are familiar from other peace processes around the world, issues such as fiscal devolution, resource-sharing, language rights and legislation to enforce non-discrimination. Myanmar’s peace process however was a particularly complicated one as it involved a variety of armed groups and ethnic minorities, “each with their own histories and aspirations”.

He stated his categorical view that in Myanmar “there can be not true peace without democracy and no democracy without peace”.

The President informed the Norwegian Prime Minister that he will now ask the Peace Working Committee to identify the issues that may come up in Myanmar's peace process ahead. The President said that Minister U Aung Min is beginning a political dialogue process and will start to meet with each of the armed groups to ask them as well to identify the issues that they feel will be most important in future political talks. This will be a further step towards all inclusive talks leading to a final peace settlement.

The President thanks Norway for its steadfast support for democracy, human rights, and peace in Myanmar and said that “Norway’s friendship has been of great value in making possible our progress so far.”

In turning to the current sectarian violence in Rakhine state, the President underlined Myanmar’s long history as a tolerant society with peoples of many different faiths, said that he would do everythingpossible to end the violence quickly and restore law and order. And pledged to resolve the present situation according to international standards,

The Norwegian Prime Minister commended the President on his efforts and expressed understanding for what the President has said about the complexity of the challenges ahead. The Prime Minister assured the President of Norway’s continued support to the reform process in general, to economic development and to the peace efforts. He acknowledged the significance of the Presidents intention to start an inclusive political process to identify key issues for a political settlement. The Norwegian Prime Minister underlined the importance of the fact that the process is Myanmar-lead, but added that Norway and the international community stand ready to support the peace efforts and further democratization in Myanmar.