The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) welcomed the fact that the State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi said in her New Year's address that "a new post-2020 peace structure will be established" and it would be a good opportunity to resume the peace process.

The statement came after the TNLA Central Committee held its annual meeting on Monday, January 18.

TNLA spokesman Major Ta Aik Kyaw said, “I think this is a positive thing. It is welcome and we are ready for talks. We hope that we will be able to achieve peace by creating a new environment.”

The TNLA also said it was always ready for a ceasefire and a peaceful political dialogue.

However, the government's offer to hold talks with the four-member northern alliance, including the TNLA, is still being negotiated and is expected to meet before the end of January.

The will of the government and the military and the fact that the new peace structure will work or not can only be known after talks are held, said Major Ta Aik Kyaw.

La Mai Gon Ja from the Peace Group (PCG), a liaison between the government and the northern group, said they are negotiating a venue is for meeting.