Door to peace talks remains open for political solutions

2025- February- 12

The government, Tatmadaw, and people must remain united in spirit and effort to ensure the nation’s survival and stability.

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing sent a message to the ceremony to mark the 78th Anniversary of Union Day 2025. The full text of the translated message is as follows:-

Esteemed ethnic national brethren of the Union,

On this auspicious occasion of the 78th Anniversary of Union Day, which falls on 12 February 2025, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all our national brethren who live together in unity and harmony across the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. May you all be blessed with prosperity, happiness, and physical and mental well-being.
Myanmar stood tall as a unified sovereign nation in the world throughout its history, from the Bagan era to the Konbaung era. However, due to three aggressive invasions by British colonialists, the entire country fell under colonial rule in 1885.
The people of the Union struggled long with unity and determination to regain the independence and sovereignty they had lost. Even when the British granted independence to Myanmar, they attempted to divide the country by granting independence only to the mainland while leaving the mountainous areas out, implementing a divide-and-rule policy to weaken national unity. However, with the firm resolution that independence should be achieved collectively without distinction between the central region and the ethnic states, General Aung San and 23 ethnic leaders signed the historic Panglong Agreement on the morning of 12 February 1947 in Panglong. As a result, Myanmar regained its independence and sovereignty on 4 January 1948. In honour of this spirit of unity, 12 February, the day the historic Panglong Agreement for the sake of regaining independence of the nation was signed, was designated as Union Day. Union Day celebrations have been held annually for the past 78 years.

Esteemed ethnic, national brethren of the Union,

The unique characteristic of our nation is that more than 130 ethnic groups live together in unity throughout the entire Union. If people from different regions and ethnic backgrounds treat one another with loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity – the four cardinal virtues – they will be able to build a peaceful and prosperous society. Similarly, if all the citizen live together in unity, based on a deep sense of patriotism – protecting and preserving their nation and ethnicity, maintaining national prestige, and safeguarding cultural and national identity – then the Union will remain strong and stable for a long time.

It is the inherent duty of all Union-born ethnic nationals to safeguard and preserve the territorial integrity of the Union, which has been inherited from ancient Myanmar kings and ancestors. This includes safeguarding the non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity, and perpetuation of sovereignty. Therefore, all Union citizens are urged to uphold the “Union spirit, nationalistic spirit, and genuine patriotism to ensure the lasting stability and development of the Union.

Esteemed ethnic national brethren of the Union,

All ethnic groups residing in Myanmar have been national brethren, living together on the same land and sharing the same fortune for countless generations. Although they may differ in birthplace, region of residence, upbringing, religion, language, literature, culture, arts, and traditions, they share the same Union blood. With this sense of unity, they have always respected and valued one another, living together in harmony with a long-standing tradition of solidarity and mutual affection.

Ethnic national people inherently possess a peaceful nature, a desire to live harmoniously, compassion for one another, and a strong willingness to support each other. They have a sincere and pure-hearted mindset. However, due to the colonial “divide-and-rule” strategy, armed conflicts have persisted among ethnic national brethren, disrupting peace and stability to this day. Over generations, peace negotiations have been conducted to address these conflicts. Continued efforts have been made to achieve lasting and durable peace by signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) to end armed conflicts.

The State Administration Council is engaged in discussions with political parties and ethnic armed organizations to achieve internal peace and durable peace. While there may be differences in opinions among individuals when applying the multiparty democratic system, demanding one’s desires by means of armed terror act is an incorrect approach that will not lead to beneficial results. Therefore, misunderstandings and conflicts between our ethnic groups should only be resolved through dialogue. Consequently, we continuously open the door to peace and welcome efforts to solve political problems through political means. We also request that local ethnic people encourage ethnic armed groups to seek solutions to their desires through political means by engaging in detailed negotiations. Thus, I would like to urge ethnic people “to actively work together towards achieving durable peace, emphasizing the importance of engaging in dialogue and negotiations to cease armed conflicts”.

Esteemed ethnic, national brethren of the Union,

A united country, a harmonious country, and a country that strives together will always be in a state of perpetual development and progress. Without unity and harmony, a country will decay and vanish like salt in water. Therefore, the development and progress of a country must be driven by the unity and harmony of its people. The most fundamental and essential requirement for a country’s development is peace and stability. Only when the country forges peace and stability will the government initiate the rule of law, ensuring the safety and security of the people’s lives, property, and the protection of their livelihoods, as well as the growth of the social economy.
Some foreign countries are intentionally escalating domestic conflicts in our nation to the point of regional conflicts while attempting to solve our internal issues and disputes. We must be cautious that, should the unity of our country fracture, external forces might exploit the situation to extend their influence under the guise of neocolonialism. To ensure that the Republic of the Union of Myanmar remains strong, independent, and sovereign and to prevent it from becoming a puppet state under the control of others, all ethnic people of the country must unite, reject terrorism, and work towards the stability, peace, rule of law, and economic development of the nation. The government, Tatmadaw, and people must remain united in spirit and effort to ensure the nation’s survival and stability. Therefore, I urge all ethnic people in the Union to work together with the government, Tatmadaw, and citizens for the peaceful stability and rule of law in our country.

Esteemed ethnic, national brethren of the Union,

The State Administration Council will continue to work towards transferring power to a government that emerges from a free and fair multiparty democratic general election following the five-step roadmap. A credible election and a prestigious parliament will be organized. Political parties are allowed to register under the law, and we are focused on ensuring the participation of all parties. Preparations for the election are ongoing, including the successful completion of the national population and household registration in 2024. The initial voter list has been officially published, and the accurate, verified list has been submitted to the Union Election Commission to continue the process of preparations for the election.

The election will apply a voting system with the use of Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine to prevent voting fraud and correct and accurate ballots in the election. Efforts are underway to protect the rights of all eligible voters and hold an election correctly.
In initiating a multiparty democratic system, in line with democratic culture, it is essential to address the needs and desires of individuals or groups through peaceful means, avoiding the agitation of conflicts or resorting to terror actions. In a democratic system, elections are of utmost importance, and it is necessary to cooperate in maintaining stability and peace to ensure the proper conduct of elections. Therefore, I would like to urge all of you that “efforts be made to ensure nationwide stability and peace to successfully hold a multiparty democratic general election.”

Esteemed ethnic, national brethren of the Union,

Between states and regions, as well as within each state and region and between rural and urban areas, the gaps in living standards and the disparities in wealth must be reduced as much as possible. Everyone must work together for balanced and sustainable development. The State Administration Council has adopted national visions to ensure the prosperity of the nation and food security. The participation of ethnic people in maintaining harmony and unity is essential to ensure peace and prosperity in the nation, as well as the ethnic leaders’ perspective on national interests, which is equally important.

Efforts are underway to achieve the goals of ensuring food security through the production of agriculture and livestock-based industries. Similarly, agricultural and livestock production businesses are being implemented under a cooperative system for rural development and poverty reduction. In addition to the development of rural infrastructure and the systematic growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises with quality standards, vocational training courses that align with local conditions are being opened to provide opportunities for skills and employment. Depending on the region’s water resources, climate, and local conditions, it is essential to discuss and coordinate which short-term and long-term businesses should be operated and what types of job opportunities should be created for regional development cooperation.

In both states and regions, agricultural produce and consumer goods should be manufactured not only through traditional methods but also by using modern techniques and systems to innovate and enhance production. If domestic consumption is sufficient and exports are possible, the nation’s economy will grow, and as a result, the socioeconomic lives of all ethnic people across the Union will improve. This will lead to the equitable development of all states and regions.

Because one can work when healthy, emphasis is being placed on ensuring that healthcare services are provided equally and comprehensively, regardless of location. In this regard, human resources are crucial, and health experts, specialists, and skilled professionals are being systematically trained and turned out.

Currently, efforts are being made to nurture and develop the youth, the future power of the nation, by enhancing their talents, abilities, and potential through comprehensive education. As a result, it is essential that every citizen achieves at least a completion of the KG+9 level of education and that they become individuals with full knowledge and skills. This goal is being achieved through the expansion of schools,

the improvement of teachers’ capabilities, and the enhancement of the school infrastructures. As more educated individuals with good health emerge, productivity levels increase, and socioeconomic life improves, reducing the disparities between states and regions.

Therefore, I would like to urge all relevant stakeholders and ethnic people to work together to ensure the equitable development and progress of all states and regions, as well as to improve the health, education, and employment opportunities for ethnic people.

Esteemed ethnic, national brethren of the Union,

I send this message urging all ethnic groups residing across the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to embrace the concept of successfully implementing the national objectives of the 78th Anniversary of Union Day as a national duty to ensure the Union’s durability and development.

                                                                                                                   Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu

                                                                                                                 Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing

                                                                                                                                      Prime Minister

                                                                                                                  Chairman, State Administration Council