KUALA LUMPUR: Asean Foreign Ministers have welcomed renewed discussions aimed at resuming a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, expressing hope that hostilities along the shared border will ease as soon as possible.
The ministers said they welcomed discussions on the resumption of the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, which are set to take place this Wednesday.
“The GBC will convene on Dec 24, 2025, to discuss the implementation and verification of the ceasefire.
“The Asean Foreign Ministers expressed hope for de-escalation of hostilities as soon as possible,” they said in a statement issued after a Special Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting here today.
The special meeting was convened to address the ongoing situation between Cambodia and Thailand, following a decision by the prime ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand on Dec 11.
Malaysia briefed the meeting on efforts undertaken by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as Asean Chair, to encourage both countries to cease hostilities.
The meeting was also briefed by the Asean Observer Team (AOT) based on its mandate, while Cambodia and Thailand shared their respective positions.
The foreign ministers recalled previous commitments, including the ceasefire arrangement of July 28, decisions of the Extraordinary GBC Meeting on Aug 7, and the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration signed on Oct 26, urging both sides to fully and effectively implement them.
Asean reaffirmed its commitment to unity and centrality, and said it would continue to facilitate dialogue and confidence-building measures through existing mechanisms.
Earlier today, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said ceasefire declarations between Thailand and Cambodia should not be rushed, as any truce must be workable and sustainable.
Sihasak, who welcomed the resumption of ceasefire talks, added that discussions should not be conducted within a fixed time frame.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the country, as Asean Chair, has called on the bloc to take urgent action to prevent further escalation of tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, stressing that maintaining regional peace and stability must remain the top priority.
The conflict, rooted in a colonial-era demarcation dispute along Thailand and Cambodia’s 800km border, has displaced around 800,000 people, officials said.
More than half a million people in Cambodia have been displaced from their homes by two weeks of deadly border clashes, Phnom Penh’s interior ministry said Sunday.
Meanwhile, around 400,000 people have been displaced in Thailand due to the reignited border conflict, Bangkok has said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
