Myanmar President wins “Pursuit of Peace Award” by the International Crisis Group

Myanmar President wins "Pursuit of Peace Award" by the International Crisis Group

Published on Friday, 26 April 2013 00:52

Myanmar President Thein Sein won "Pursuit of Peace Award" by the International Crisis Group along with former Brazilian President Mr Luiz Lula.

The ceremony was held at The Pierre Hotel in New York on Monday.

Minister Aung Min accepted the peace prize on behalf of the President, vice-chairman.

"We receive the peace prize as we, all Myanmar people, are marching toward a new independent democratic country and it represents all Myanmar societies. It is associated with those joined hands with me, those currently joining me and all participating in democratization process.

"Since there is no democracy, there is no peace. Those coming to Myanmar with new hope of democracy are warmly and heartily welcomed. Democracy is not just a hope or an ideology. Good democratic habits are to be firmly built. It is important not only to encroach individual freedom but the opportunity of the others. We all need to be open-minded.

"Now is the time we can practically do everything that were just imaginary in the past. In this situation, it is necessary to change all possibilities for ensure practical interests of the country. International community and all Myanmar citizens are to join us on a journey of Myanmar's reform process," the President said in his video clip sent to the award ceremony of the ICG.

Previous recipients of the award include former US presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, Nobel Peace Prize laureates Martti Ahtisaari and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and financier-philanthropist George Soros.

ICG is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation committed to preventing and resolving deadly conflict.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/04/26/myanmar-president-wins-pursuit-of-peace-award-by-the-international-crisis-group/