Hanoi (VNA) - Myanmar President U Thein Sein has called on the country's political forces to work together in unity to overcome the challenges facing the coun✨try.

In his message marking Myanmar's 68th anniversary of independence, President Thein Sein urged efforts from national groups, the people and armed forces to keep on the correct path to democratisation. According to the president, the nation's independence, security and development can only be ensured through combined efforts of the government, all political forces such as the parliament, political parties, armed forces and the entire people. He also called for efforts to achieve nationwide ceasefire and peace. Speaking at the headquarters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Yangon on the occasion, NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi said that the country's peace process will be the first priority of the new government that will be led by the NLD party this year. She also affirmed that the new government will make efforts to reach a comprehensive ceasefire agreement with all 15 armed ethnic groups. On October 15 last year, the Myanmar government signed a ceasefire agreement with eight armed ethnic groups, meanwhile the seven others refused to sign the agreement. In the election held in November last year, the NLD party secured nearly 80 percent of seats at three levels of the parliament. The presidential election is scheduled for February. The new government led by the NLD will begin in March.-VNA