BANGKOK: (Bernama) Thailand is hopeful that this week’s General Border Committee (GBC) meeting with Cambodia in Malaysia will result in a breakthrough and lay the foundation for a sustainable ceasefire and peaceful resolution, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura.
The secretary-level GBC meeting is currently underway in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ahead of the extraordinary GBC session scheduled for Thursday (Aug 7).
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday (Aug 5), Nikorndej, the Director-General of the Department of Information at the Thai Foreign Ministry, said various issues were discussed at the ongoing meeting, including the draft agenda for implementing the ceasefire agreement.
"Thailand is participating in this GBC meeting with the ultimate goal of ensuring the effective implementation of a sustainable ceasefire,” he said, adding that Thailand also views the meeting as a significant step in bringing Cambodia back to the negotiating table over its ongoing border dispute.
He said that acting Defence Minister General Nattaphon Narkphanit will lead Thailand’s delegation to the GBC meeting on Aug 7.
Meanwhile, Nikorndej said Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa received a phone call on Monday from Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who extended an invitation for a trilateral consultation between the foreign ministers of Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia to help resolve the border issue.
"While he (Maris) is agreeable to such a meeting, his priority at the moment is to await the outcome of the GBC meeting concerning the implementation of the ceasefire,” he said.
"Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan expressed his understanding and agreed with Thailand’s approach,” he said, adding that Maris expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s constructive role as Asean Chair.
Thailand and Cambodia have long been engaged in a dispute over their 817-kilometre shared border. The latest flare-up began with a brief skirmish on May 28 and escalated into armed clashes on July 24.
Both nations agreed to an immediate ceasefire on July 28 following a special meeting in Putrajaya hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the current Asean Chair. - Bernama
