SIGNALS continue to emanate from Myanmar, the pariah state till recently, strengthening its resolve to open up and gain global recognition.

The freeing of more political prisoners, some languishing in jail for nearly two decades and the signing of the ceasefire pact with the armed ethnic Karen National Union (KNU) rebel group last week, render further evidence of the direction in which the government is heading, though misgivings linger in some quarters.

As expected, the moves have been promptly hailed by the West. Giving an assurance on re-establishing diplomatic ties, the United States said that it was committed to "walking down the reform path" with Myanmar.

The European Union, too, has made conciliatory statements and there's talk of lifting the sanctions.

These corrective measures plus the ones Myanmar had taken in recent past, like the dropping of an unpopular and contentious dam project backed by China, are simply commendable, for they've not only silenced its critics but also saw some high-profile dignitaries recently visiting the state, shunned by the international community for years.

Come April the world will see by-elections in which the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her party are keen to contest.

And Suu Kyi's, who is bound to win, entry into the parliament would give further credence to the country's reform process and the transitory steps towards democracy.

Given this scenario, it's only hoped that Myanmar would continue with the reform process, initiating more peace-promoting steps and giving more leeway and rights to the opposition groups to voice their contention and concern.

It's also hoped that Myanmar would launch ties with all countries, playing a more constructive role in the global arena as well as in the ASEAN region in the coming years.