The Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) of ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) signatory to Burma’s Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) have decided to participate in an informal summit in Naypyidaw with representatives of the government, army and parliaments.

This decision was made during a PPST meeting held from October 10-11 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

“There are some differences among the 10 NCA signatory EAOs. It’s natural. Finally, we had to put aside all of our differences and seek common ground. We got this common ground today,” PPST spokesperson U Than Khe and chairperson of the All Burma Students Democratic Front told NMG on Friday. “The common ground is that we are going to work together to implement our demands…in the interest of the whole country.”

To commemorate the third anniversary of the NCA signing, leaders of signatory EAOs and representatives of the government, army and parliaments will meet for discussions on October 15 in Naypyidaw.

The government originally proposed that the summit be held near Mt. Popa in Kyaukpadaung Township, Mandalay Region, but EAO leaders asked that it take place in Yangon, before it was decided that it would be hosted in Naypyidaw.

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is expected to attend the summit as a government representative and army chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing will be present as a military representative.

A total of 10 EAO leaders, including PPST chairman Gen Mutu Say Poe of the Karen National Union and vice chairman Gen Yawd Serk of the Restoration Council of Shan State, will participate in the summit.

“In this meeting, we will discuss the issue of a Union army, future democratic federal Union policy issues and issues around the amendment of the 2008 Constitution,” U Than Khe said.

Members of the PPST hope the current political deadlock can be resolved in this type of summit.

“We hope we will get good results from this informal meeting and then it can help us in heading into a formal meeting,” Chin National Front chairman Pu Zin Cung told NMG.