KUALA LUMPUR: Cambodia and Thailand should continue negotiating and resolve border disputes, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The Foreign Minister emphasised that the ceasefire, established between both countries earlier this year, should be maintained.
“Both countries should sit down and negotiate the resolution of border issues between them.
“Malaysia, however, will not interfere in this process, which is also in line with the Asean charter of not interfering with the internal affairs of other countries,” he told a press conference at the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits here on Saturday (Oct 25).
On the Joint Declaration of Relations of Thailand and Cambodia set to be inked by both Cambodia and Thailand on Sunday (Oct 26), Mohamad said that among the key contents towards ensuring a lasting ceasefire includes for both countries to remove heavy weapons from related areas, and that both countries remove or destroy landmines planted at the borders.
The signing of the declaration between Thailand and Cambodia was scheduled for Sunday (Oct 26) and would be witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump.
Mohamad also confirmed that Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was expected to arrive in Malaysia to sign the declaration.
Initially, Anutin cancelled his trip to Malaysia following the passing of Queen Mother Sirikit.
But he later told reporters that he would be in KL to sign the deal with Cambodia on Oct 26, then return to Thailand.
It was also reported that Thai officials were working to reschedule the signing earlier to 12pm on Sunday instead of the same afternoon.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said Cambodia has agreed to Thailand’s proposal to allow Anutin time to leave for Thailand to attend the Queen Mother Sirikit’s funeral procession.
The Thai Royal Household Bureau announced on Saturday the passing of Queen Mother Sirikit at age 93, whose son is King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
