Secretary-General ‘Encouraged’ by 19 August Meeting in Myanmar

 

between President U Thein Sein, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is encouraged by the meeting on 19 August in Naypyitaw between President U Thein Sein of Myanmar and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as both have expressed satisfaction about their talks aimed at finding common ground on matters beneficial to the people and the country.  The Secretary-General expects the meeting to be followed by further steps towards a sustained high-level dialogue focused on national reconciliation.

Whether these and other recent developments will move Myanmar forward depends on how all parties choose to work with each other. It is in the national interest that they seize the opportunity to extend and accept conciliatory gestures to achieve durable peace and unity.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call for the release of political prisoners as a matter of priority, so that all citizens of Myanmar are able to contribute to advancing the prospects of national reconciliation and democratic transition in their country.

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For information media • not an official record