A rare meeting took place between Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and government minister Aung Kyi on Monday, signaling a potential improvement in relations between the Nobel Peace laureate and the new military-backed leadership. Suu Kyi, who was informed of the meeting just the day before, engaged in discussions with Aung Kyi for over an hour at a state guesthouse, marking the first known interaction between the two since the formation of the new civilian government. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the meeting in a joint statement, highlighting their positive dialogue on issues beneficial to the people of Myanmar. Despite previous encounters while Suu Kyi was under detention and Aung Kyi served as a liaison between her and the junta, Aung Kyi expressed a desire for continued dialogue with Suu Kyi, dismissing any notion that their past meetings were unproductive. Aung Kyi informed reporters that there were positive outcomes from previous meetings and they anticipate improved results from the current talks. He made a joint statement with Suu Kyi, emphasizing discussions on cooperation for the benefit of the people, specifically regarding the rule of law, unity, and public welfare. The establishment of a new government in April marked the end of nearly five decades of military rule in the country. Since being released from seven years of house arrest last November, Suu Kyi has been advocating for dialogue with the new rulers. Nyan Win, a spokesperson for the National League for Democracy (NLD), Suu Kyi's active but officially disbanded party, noted that there have been changes in the political climate and that the government's invitation to Suu Kyi is a sign of progress. Suu Kyi has been cautious in her approach towards the government since her release, refraining from criticizing the November 7 election which was widely seen as a sham to maintain the current regime in power under the guise of democracy. The government and military seem to have softened their stance towards Suu Kyi, occasionally criticizing her in state-controlled media but allowing her to travel and meet with diplomats, journalists, and supporters. Analysts believe that the government understands that taking action against Suu Kyi would provoke international backlash and hinder the possibility of Western sanctions being lifted in the near future. Having a dialogue with Suu Kyi could be a strategic move by Myanmar's secretive leaders, many of whom are ex-military officers, to demonstrate their willingness to engage with foreign governments. According to Christopher Roberts, a Southeast Asia expert at Australian National University, the meeting likely goes beyond just a public relations stunt. He believes it is part of a larger effort by the government to make gradual improvements, as Myanmar is working towards establishing a legitimate government and improving its international image. In addition to meeting with representatives from the US, Australia, and the UN, Myanmar has also allowed them to engage with Suu Kyi. Roberts stated that these actions will be taken as long as they do not compromise security or stability.