KUALA LUMPUR: The peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia — officially named the Kuala Lumpur Accord declaration — will serve as a formal ceasefire arrangement and establish an Asean Observer Team to monitor the border area.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the accord was crucial to ensuring that no violations occur following the ceasefire agreed in July between both nations.
“The Kuala Lumpur Accord declaration is not a full peace treaty, but a ceasefire declaration and an agreement on the establishment of an Asean Observer Team in the conflict zone.
“We want to ensure that the ceasefire, which has been in place since July after the two prime ministers agreed to end hostilities, will remain intact.
“Although no firearms were used, there have still been reports of minor violations,” he told a press conference here today.
Mohamad added that the KL Accord outlines several key commitments between Thailand and Cambodia to maintain peace and stability along their border.
“The two main objectives are for both countries to withdraw heavy weaponry from the affected areas and to jointly carry out demining operations to remove and destroy unexploded ordnance along the border,” he said.
He said the accord would also reinforce Asean’s collective role in peacekeeping and regional stability, while respecting the bloc’s long-standing principle of non-interference in member states’ internal affairs.
“Asean urges both countries to continue negotiations and work together to resolve their border issues peacefully.
“Malaysia will not interfere in the boundary matters between the two nations, as we fully respect the Asean Charter principle of non-interference.”
Mohamad expressed hope that the ceasefire and accompanying measures under the KL Accord will lead to lasting stability.
“We hope this ceasefire will be sustainable and properly implemented. It is an important step towards rebuilding trust and ensuring long-term peace along the Thai-Cambodian border,” he said.
The signing of the peace deal, which is set to take place tomorrow, will be witnessed by United States President Donald Trump and Asean chair, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
On July 28, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire amid the ongoing border conflict.
Tensions between the two nations have persisted for decades over their 817km border, which remains unresolved.
The latest flare-up followed a deadly incident in the Preah Vihear area on May 28, which claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier, and escalated further after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet accused Thailand of preventing more than 20 families from returning to their homes in a disputed border area.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
