KUALA LUMPUR: An Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) will convene on Wednesday (Dec 24) to discuss the implementation and verification of the ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The Foreign Minister, who read out the Asean Chair statement, highlighted that Asean Foreign Ministers welcomed discussions on resuming the ceasefire and ceasing hostilities, expressing hope for an early de-escalation of tensions.
"The GBC will convene on Dec 24 to discuss the implementation and verification of the ceasefire.
"Asean Foreign Ministers have expressed hope for de-escalation of hostilities as soon as possible," he said at a press conference after the conclusion of the special Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) on the current situation between Cambodia and Thailand on Monday (Dec 22).
ALSO READ: Cambodia-Thai tensions: Asean must act to defuse situation, says Tok Mat
The GBC is a bilateral mechanism set up to survey, demarcate and negotiate the disputed land border between the two countries, especially where French-era maps and later agreements are unclear.
The AMM also urged Cambodia and Thailand to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps towards the cessation of all forms of hostilities, said Mohamad.
"The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to refrain from the threat or use of force, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for international boundary and of international law, for the promotion of peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region on the basis of mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, Asean Charter and Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC)," he said.
During the special AMM meeting, Malaysia briefed on all the efforts undertaken by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as Asean Chair, to encourage both Cambodia and Thailand to cease hostilities.
"The meeting was also briefed by the Asean Observer Team (AOT) based on the AOT's mandate.
"Cambodia and Thailand shared their respective positions," added Mohamad.
