He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Mon State Director office under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, which was held in the Mon State’s capital Mawlamyine on Monday (March 19) evening.

“The road to peace will not be smooth. We need to build a lot of courage to face many difficulties in order to obtain peace. No matter what kind of difficulties may exist, we must strive to achieve peace. I have set down a decision to develop our state and so please steadfastly work for peace ,” said Dr. Aye Zan.

Dr. Aye Zan said peace is important for the development of a region and a country and the stability of peace is also equally important.

“There are difficulties everywhere and in every issue. Currently, there are difficulties [in achieving] peace. I understand this. No matter what kind of work we do, there are many difficulties in developing the state. There are both good and bad legacy from the past. Nevertheless, we must accept both good and bad legacy and nurture the sustainability of the good legacy,” said Dr. Aye Zan.

The public no longer have to live in fear after achieving peace in the state. Although some members of the public living in the cities may not be aware of peace, it is very important for the public living in the rural areas, he continued.

“That’s why the literature and culture of the ethnic people is very important in our state including the signing of the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) by the New Mon State Party (NMSP). We must strive for our literature to reach the situation before 1962. The culture may also face the same situation. We need to protect the rights of the ethnic people,” said Dr. Aye Zan.

He added that he was very proud of the NMSP party members including the chair Nai Htaw Mon for signing the NCA despite the difficulties in order to achieve peace in the Mon State.

The Mon State Director office of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs is the first office opened in Myanmar.