Readout of the Secretary-General's meeting with H.E. Mr. Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar

Their meeting coincided with the decision by ASEAN regarding the resumption of its chairmanship by Myanmar in 2014.

The Secretary-General welcomed Myanmar's ongoing political and economic reform effort under President Thein Sein's leadership, including recent measures conducive to advancing national dialogue and reconciliation. He also welcomed the response that such steps have generated from other stakeholders, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Secretary-General encouraged all parties in Myanmar to seize the historic opportunity to build on such efforts through an inclusive and broad-based political process that will help strengthen national unity and set the reform process on an irreversible course to fulfil the promises made to the people of Myanmar.

The Secretary-General and President Thein Sein discussed ways in which the international community and the United Nations can further encourage and support the Government and people of Myanmar in their efforts towards democracy, peace and development.