PA-AN, Myanmar - Myanmar's government signed a cease-fire with ethnic Karen rebels on Thursday to try to end one of the world's longest-running insurgencies, part of its efforts to resolve all conflicts with separatist groups.

The government and Karen National Union (KNU) delegation agreed in principle to 11 points and signed two broad agreements to end hostilities between the military and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and start dialogue toward a political settlement to the 62-year conflict.

KNU represents the biggest anti-government ethnic armed group in Myanmar's Kayin state having fought the government for more than six decades.

The cease-fire could be a small step toward the lifting of two decades of sanctions imposed on Myanmar by the European Union and the United States, which have made peace with ethnic militias a prerequisite for a review of the embargoes.

Peace talks have been held on six occasions since 1949, but no lasting agreement has been reached.

The deputy leader of the KNU delegation, Saw David Htaw, said the climate of change in Myanmar under its new reform-minded government made dialogue inevitable.

"We have never been more confident in our talks. According to the changing situation everywhere, peace talks are unavoidable now, this is something we have to pass through without fail," he said.

"The people have experienced the horrors of war a long time. I'm sure they'll be very glad to hear this news. I hope they'll be able to fully enjoy the sweet taste of peace this time."

Major achievement

The signing signified a major achievement made by the new government in succeeding previous governments' peace efforts in settling rebellious armed group issues since independence in 1948.

The peace agreement at the state level was signed between the 19-member peace-making group of KNU, led by Army Chief of Staff General Mutue Sae Poe, and with the government's peace-making group, headed by Minister of Rail Transportation U Aung Min.

The peace agreement includes a cease-fire to be carried out by the two sides, opening of liaison offices in 14 areas, allowing travel without holding arms to each other's territory and continued talks on 11-point details at the central level.

The government side was scheduled to take the KNU side to meet Mon state's Chief Minister in Mawlamyine on Thursday and Bago region's Chief Minister in Bago on Friday and then to the central administrative capital of Nay Pyi Taw as a follow-up, the sources quoted U Aung Min as saying.

The two sides held preliminary confidence talks in Thailand's Maesot in December last year.

Through the KNLA, its military wing, the KNU has fought successive governments for greater autonomy since 1949, a year after Myanmar gained independence from Britain.

Saw David Htaw praised the government's peace negotiators as "honest and sincere".

As well as the sanctions issue, peace with the KNU is vital for Myanmar's economic interests.

Reuters-Xinhua