Visiting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on Tuesday reiterated the international organization's continued support for Myanmar's peace process and the new government 's building of the democratic society.

Ban made the remarks in a joint press conference in Nay Pyi Taw following his meeting with Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi. The remarks also came a day before the holding of the country's 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference in the capital.

His coming to Myanmar at this time shows such support for the country, Ban said said, adding that he is delighted to be invited to the conference.

Hailing Myanmar's transition, Ban expressed appreciation over the former leadership of U Thein Sein's handling for harmonious transition for democracy, saying that the new government still has the challenge with the peace process, which is really expected by the international community.

He disclosed that he talked with Aung San Suu Kyi on the complex situation in Rakhine state and vowed to stand with the new government and support former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's involvement in the advisory commission on Rakhine state to resolve the protracted regional issue.

He agreed with Aung San Suu Kyi that the people in Myanmar, whatever their religion, ethnicity and economic status, will have better economic opportunity and to be in frequent and secured environment.

On the border issue, Ban stressed living in harmony between neighbors with different ethnicity and background.

The 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference of Myanmar, which aims to unite with all ethnic nationalities and build a democratic federal union, is due to kick off in Nay Phi Taw Wednesday morning with key speeches by Aung San Suu Kyi and Ban Ki-Moon.

The five-day historical Panglong Conference will gather representatives of the government, the parliament, the military, political parties, ethnic armed and non-armed organizations and civil society to touch on the framework of political dialogue for ending several decades' long armed conflicts in the country. Endit

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