Myanmar junta's top diplomat briefs regional meeting on election progress, Thailand says

The foreign minister of Myanmar on Thursday informed a regional meeting of its neighbours of its progress towards holding elections next year in the war-torn country, Thailand's foreign minister said.

Maris Sangiampongsa told a press conference open discussions on the situation in Myanmar took place during Thursday's meeting in Bangkok, and said attendees felt the gathering was essential as neighbouring countries understood the situation better.

The ruling junta was open for talks with all sides who sought to resolve the crisis there peacefully, Maris said, referring to remarks by Myanmar's foreign minister.