Member of Senior delegation Padoh Kwe Htoo Win (L, front) changes an agreement with U Aung Min, vice chairman of the Myanmar government's Union Peace Making Work Committee (UPWC) during the signing ceremony of the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Oct. 15, 2015. (Xinhua/U Aung)
NAY PYI TAW, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Myanmar government and eight ethnic armed groups out of 15 involved in peace deal with the government initiated the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) in Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday, witnessed by local and international observers.
The signing of the NCA at the Myanmar International Convention Center signals a major step towards ending the more than six decades' civil conflict in the Southeast Asian country.
Representing the government side in the signing were President U Thein Sein, Vice President Dr. Sai Mauk Kham, Vice President U Nyan Tun, Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing and his Deputy and Commander-in-Chief of the Army Vice Senior-General Soe Win as well as speakers of both Houses U Shwe Mann and U Khin Aung Myint.
On behalf of the eight armed groups in the endorsement were their respective leaders.
Members of Myanmar government and leaders of eight ethnic armed groups attend the signing ceremony of the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Oct. 15, 2015. (Xinhua/U Aung)
Present on the occasion as invited international witnesses were representatives from the United Nations, the European Union, China, India, Thailand and Japan.
Other invitees included government officials, foreign diplomats representing 50 countries, political parties including the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party, the opposition National League for Democracy and National Unity Party, as well as civil society organizations.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, President U Thein Sein underlined the event as a historic and significant one, saying that the road to future peace in Myanmar is now open.
"Reform would not succeed without peace," he said, adding that sustainable and lasting peace in the country cannot be achieved through ceasefire alone.
He called for political dialogues to address the deep-rooted issues and strengthen ceasefire.
Myanmar President U Thein Sein signs during the signing ceremony of the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Oct. 15, 2015. (Xinhua/U Aung)
As for some remaining groups which are currently not ready to sign the NCA, the president said the government will continue its efforts to bring them into the process while keeping the door open to them.
The NCA-based peace process will be the only path that leads to sustainable and lasting peace in the future of Myanmar, he added.
According to the president, the signing will be followed by the formation of a Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee to prevent armed clashes and a Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee to facilitate political dialogue.
A political framework will be drawn up within 60 days after the formal NCA signing and the political dialogue starts within 90 days.
Three days before the formal signing of NCA, the government removed the eight signatory armed groups from the list of "unlawful associations" and "terrorist organizations."
The peace process began in November 2013 when the government's Union Peace Making Work Committee and ethnic armed groups' National Ceasefire Coordination Team met in Myitgyina, Kachin state's capital, for the nationwide ceasefire talks. The final round, or the 9th round, was held in Yangon in August.
Chinese Foreign Ministry's special envoy for Asian Affairs Sun Guoxiang (1st L, front) signs during the signing ceremony of the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Oct. 15, 2015. (Xinhua/U Aung)
