Important agreement in Myanmar

The Myanmar Government and the armed group Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) have signed an agreement that brings the parties closer to a solution to the conflict in Kachin State. 

“This agreement means that peace in the whole of Myanmar is one step closer,” said State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Torgeir Larsen, who recently visited the country. 

State Secretary Torgeir Larsen leads a meeting in Peace Donor Support Group in Yangon. (Poto: Kjetil Elsebutangen, MFA)

Since 2011, the Government of Myanmar has entered into ceasefire agreements with 10 of the 11 non-state armed groups in the country. The conflict in Kachin State, in the north of Myanmar, is the last remaining conflict.  The agreement that was signed by the parties to the conflict on Thursday covers continued political dialogue, an easing of hostilities, improved access for humanitarian assistance and the possible monitoring of the situation on the ground. 

“The parties to the conflict should be applauded for having shown genuine willingness to advance the peace process,” Mr Larsen said.   

The negotiations between the parties to the conflict were held in Kachin State in Myanmar. China, the UN and other ethnic groups in Myanmar were observers to the negotiations.