KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand and Cambodia senior defence officials are scheduled to hold talks tomorrow to discuss the implementation and verification of a ceasefire, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
This was the outcome of the special Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) on the current situation between the two countries held yesterday.
In reading the Asean chairman’s statement, Mohamad said the Asean Foreign Ministers welcomed discussions on a resumption of the ceasefire and a cessation of hostilities.
“The Asean Foreign Ministers also expressed hope for a de-escalation of hostilities as soon as possible,” he told a press conference after the AMM.
All the Asean Foreign Ministers, including Thailand and Cambodia’s, attended the meeting, with the exception of Myanmar officials who joined in virtually.
The Dec 24 meeting will be convened by the General Border Committee, 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.
Longstanding border disputes are the basis of the current hostilities, with tensions escalating in May and continuing sporadically.
Urgent updates: Mohamad delivering the keynote address at the special AMM in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the current situation between Cambodia and Thailand. — Bernama
Mohamad said the AMM voiced serious concerns over the ongoing fighting between Cambodia and Thailand that has led to casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure and the displacement of people on both sides of the border.
“It urged both parties to ensure that civilians in affected border areas can return safely and without obstruction to their homes and livelihoods as they were before the fighting began,” he added.
The meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to refraining from the threat or use of force, resolving disputes peacefully, and respecting international boundaries and law.
It said these principles underpin peace, security and stability in the region, in line with the United Nations Charter, the Asean Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South-East Asia.
The AMM also called on Cambodia and Thailand to exercise restraint and take immediate steps to end hostilities.
Mohamad said it urged both sides to rebuild trust, resume dialogue through bilateral channels and with the support of the Asean Chair, revive cooperation on humanitarian demining and pursue military de-escalation along the border monitored by an Asean Observer Team (AOT), in line with international law and the principles of peaceful coexistence.
According to a source, the meeting became heated when the two countries presented their own perspectives on the situation.
The ministers were briefed on all efforts undertaken by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as Asean Chair, to encourage Cambodia and Thailand to cease hostilities.
“The meeting was also briefed by the Asean Observer Team based on the AOT’s mandate.
“Cambodia and Thailand then shared their respective positions,” Mohamad said.
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told a separate press conference that any form of ceasefire must not be rushed to ensure that it is sustainable.
Thailand also proposed the meeting take place at the border in the Thai province of Chanthaburi.
Sihasak said Thailand wants a “true ceasefire” with a firm commitment from Cambodia and a detailed implementation plan, adding that de-mining is necessary to move the process forward.
“A ceasefire cannot just be declared, it needs a discussion,” he was quoted as saying by Reuters.
The latest tensions ramped up in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a border clash. This led to bilateral relations reaching their lowest point in more than a decade.
The two countries have also imposed broad restrictions on each other. Cambodia banned imports from Thailand, including fruits and vegetables and power supplies, while Thailand ordered operators to stop providing broadband and mobile Internet services to Cambodia.
A new ceasefire following the signing of the KL Peace Accords in October – overseen by Anwar and US President Donald Trump – failed in November when Thailand reported soldiers injured in a landmine explosion.
Cambodia has since said that Thailand has resumed military shelling.
In a separate statement issued yesterday, the US State Department said: “The United States continues to call on Cambodia and Thailand to end hostilities, withdraw heavy weapons, cease emplacement of landmines, and fully implement the KL Peace Accords, which include mechanisms to accelerate humanitarian demining and address border issues.”
It welcomed the AMM meeting to encourage both countries to honour their ceasefire commitments.
