Myanmar media publishes president's speech at UN general assembly

Myanmar official media Friday published the full text of President U Thein Sein's Thursday speech at the 67th United Nations General Assembly in New York. U Thein Sein said Myanmar will be participating more actively in UN activities while standing as a responsible and respectable nation on the world stage. "Myanmar is now ushering in a new era," he announced. On domestic afairs, Thein Sein said Myanmar's parliament, the judiciary, the armed forces, the national races, political parties, civil societies and the people at large have been taking tangible irreversible steps in the democratic transition and reform process. "Leaving behind a system of authoritarian government wherein the executive, legislative and judicial power were centralized, we have now been able to put in place a democratic government and a strong, viable parliament following a practice of check and balance," he said. Citing encouraging and inclusive political process and significant development in the country, Thein Sein said "the government and other stakeholders have now been able to foster a new political culture of patience and dialogue" . Thein Sein praised Aung San Suu Kyi as main opposition leader and Noble Peace Laureate for the first time, saying "As a Myanmar citizen, I would like to congratulate her for the honors she has received in this country (U.S.) in recognition of her efforts for democracy". "The political progress in our country is enhancing its political legitimacy. This in turn facilitates the creation of basic political stability, and thereby paving the way for economic and social transformation," said U Thein Sain. In the economic sector, he stressed more attention should be given to the investment in the extractive sector like energy to ensure transparency and impartiality. Relating to ethnic conflicts in the country, he expressed belief that cessation of all armed conflicts are a prerequisite for the building of genuine democracy, saying that high priority is being placed on achieving a lasting peace in the country and disclosing that the government has so far produced ceasefire agreements with 10 ethnic armed groups. "While further strengthening confidence building measures, we will continue the peace talks," he said, citing the holding of informal consultations for such move with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Taking the opportunity of his first speech at the UN general assembly, he took pride of an important Myanmar figure U Thant, who served as the third Secretary-General of the UN, calling him as a great and brilliant son of Myanmar for his tireless efforts for peace and achievements during his tenure as the capacity. The Myanmar President started his historic visit to the United States on Monday where he attended UN General Assembly in New York.