Burmese leader General Khin Nyunt says the nation's military government is working toward peace.
The general spoke to foreign representatives and academics Tuesday in Rangoon at a seminar on understanding Burma, which the government calls Myanmar.
General Khin Nyunt said the regime is at work on his seven-point road map to transforming Burma into a peaceful, democratic country.
He said despite widespread criticism of its human-rights record, Burma has overcome economic sanctions and improved the well-being of its people.
He also said the military government has made peace with many of the ethnic armies that previously fought against the regime. He added that plans are in the works for a convening commission to draft a new constitution.
Critics of the Burmese military regime charge the government often says it is working toward peace but provides little evidence of its efforts.
China's official Xinhua news agency reports the seminar was attended by representatives of 18 countries, including China, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Britain, and the United States.
Representatives from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines also attended.
Information for this report is provided by AFP.