Myanmar President Thein Sein holds discussions with opposition leader.

Myanmar media reported on March 2nd that President U Thein Sein of Myanmar held a private meeting with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the capital Nay Pyi Taw. The meeting focused on constitutional amendments and the upcoming general election.

This was the first meeting between President Thein Sein and the chairwoman of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party, Aung San Suu Kyi, since March 2014.

Myanmar President Thein Sein (right) at a conference discussing the signing of a nationwide ceasefire agreement. (Source: AFP/VNA)

The meeting took place against the backdrop of Myanmar's parliament proposing a six-party dialogue – involving the President, the Minister of Defense, opposition leaders, the Speakers of both houses of Parliament, and representatives of armed ethnic groups – to address domestic political issues, particularly constitutional reform.

Myanmar's current constitution, promulgated in May 2008, includes a provision seen as hindering opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from running for president. This provision stipulates that anyone whose parents, spouse, or legal children are foreign citizens is not permitted to hold the presidency.

Suu Kyi's children hold British citizenship. Currently, the NLD party and Suu Kyi's coalition are campaigning to amend the aforementioned clause.

In addition, another controversial provision in the Constitution stipulates that one-quarter of the seats in parliament belong to the military.

The referendum on constitutional amendments is expected to be held in May 2015, followed by a general election at the end of 2015. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have passed legislation to hold a referendum on the draft constitution.

According to VNA