PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s sole goal in attending the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Dec 22 was to end the suffering of the people and stop the fighting that has destroyed their property, said Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn.
Speaking to the national television (TVK) network on Dec 22 upon returning from the Asean ministers’ meeting, Sokhonn explained that he has raised three points that Cambodia wanted.
“I called for an immediate ceasefire and an immediate cessation of hostilities, and I stated that if there was such an agreement, I emphasized that both sides should agree to begin stopping hostilities from 10pm on Dec 22. A ceasefire must be implemented by both sides; forcing only one side to stop fighting is not feasible,” he said.
The second point he proposed was for the meeting to urge both sides to withdraw their military forces to the positions they occupied before the conflict, and for citizens be able to return to their homes.
The third request was to resolve the conflict peacefully, without the use of force, by respecting existing laws, conventions and treaties. He also called for the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers captured on July 29.
Moving forward, Sokhonn stated that while there would be a military meeting between the two countries on Dec 24, Cambodia would continue to seek diplomatic solutions, whether bilaterally or with external involvement.
“This is the best way to resolve issues peacefully together, because we do not want to fight; we do not choose the military path. What we want is to stop the fighting, end the suffering of the people, deaths on both sides, injuries, damage, loss of property, and displacement from homes,” he said.
He noted that Cambodia wants to see negotiations and the rebuilding of mutual trust with Thailand. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
