Although the KNPP negotiated with the Peace Commission in Naypyidaw on July 12, the plan for signing the NCA has been pushed back due to differences of opinion.

“We are still on the NCA path. We are still negotiating for the signing of the NCA,” said Shwe Myo Thant.

The KNPP will be close to signing the NCA if they are able to reach an agreement in the negotiation.

In her opening speech for the 21st Century Panglong Conference, the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said the NCA is a starting point for the march of all forces towards the ultimate destination.

“We inherited this NCA and have been implementing it. Everyone is working together to make this event successful,” she said.

She urged the ethnic armed organizations not to make the public wait a long time as they have been waiting more than seventy years for peace in the ethnic areas.

The leaders of the seven-member Northern Alliance, namely United Wa State Army (UWSA), the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Arakan Army (AA), attended the Union Peace Conference. The government and China have urged them to sign the NCA.

The Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO)’s vice-chair U Khun Myint Htoo said the agreements of the groups are important in walking down the path towards the NCA together and the solution must be found via negotiation.

“All the groups are working hard on discussing establishing a union based on democracy and federalism, which is desired by us,” he said.

Daw Aung Suu Kyi said the success of the peace process has been delayed by the inability to reach agreements on issues relating to federal system.

She added that people who refused to accept the word ‘federal’ have changed and the NCA has been signed and pledges have been made towards establishing a democratic federal union.