Zulkifli said the two parties were having “very enthusiastic” talks, following the 7th round of the peace dialogue process meeting here yesterday and today.

He said the Thai government and Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) were very happy with the dialogue.

“It is a major breakthrough after the dialogue was stalled the past year due to the Thai election.

“Both (parties) are very enthusiastic and I’m encouraged by their discussion. There is light at the end of the tunnel,” he said, at a press conference.

Zulkifli said he found it encouraging that both parties were now willing to put pen to paper which had not been the case previously.

He added that the meeting was convened in an amicable atmosphere with both sides demonstrating a strong commitment to accomplish the joint comprehensive plan towards peace (JCPP), which will pave the way for a durable peaceful agreement for the people in the southern border provinces of Thailand.

The Thai government is represented by the Peace Dialogue Panel for the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand (PEDP) headed by Chatchai Bangchuad while BRN is headed by Anas Abdulrahman.

Zulkifli, the former commander of the armed forces, said another technical meeting will convene on unconfirmed dates this month as well as on March 7 and March 8 in Malaysia.

Over 7,300 people have been killed since 2004 in fighting between the Thai forces and BRN which is seeking independence for Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and parts of Songkhla, which border Malaysia.

The area was part of the Patani sultanate that Thailand annexed in a 1909 treaty with Britain.

Malaysia has helped facilitate peace talks between the separatists groups and the Thai government since 2013.