KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has described the Thailand-Cambodia peace deal as a milestone that reflects the shared commitment of both nations to peacefully resolve their differences.
He said the joint declaration represents an outstanding milestone that outlines a path towards peace.
“It aligns, of course, with Thailand’s longstanding position to find peaceful solution in the relations between the two countries through bilateral mechanisms and discussions.
“We also believe that what has been agreed demonstrates Cambodia’s sincerity and genuine commitment to joining Thailand in the path towards peace and cooperation,” he told the media after the signing of the peace agreement held on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here today.
Thailand and Cambodia signed the joint declaration, a peace deal dubbed “KL Peace Accord”, marking a formal step towards halting hostilities and restoring peace along their disputed border.
The agreement was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet, while Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Asean Chair, and United States President Donald Trump signed as witnesses.
Sihasak also credits Anwar and Trump for their instrumental role in facilitating the negotiations with Cambodia. He stressed that while the Malaysia and US played facilitative roles, the negotiations remained strictly bilateral.
“This is not a case of third-party mediation. We’ve always believed the dispute is best resolved bilaterally,” he said, adding that both governments now share responsibility to act on their commitments to ensure peace and security along the border.
He also revealed that the agreement addresses key issues, including de-escalation of border tensions, removal of heavy weapons, demining operations and tackling illegal activities such as border scams.
“I think the things that need to be done are already underway. The regional commanders of the armed forces of the two countries have met to discuss the withdrawal of heavy weapons,” he said.
This would pave the way for the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers detained by Thai forces during the brief confrontation recently, he added.
Thailand and Cambodia have long been locked in a dispute over their 817-kilometre border, with the latest flare-up on July 24 leading to a military confrontation.
On July 28, Anwar hosted a high-stakes meeting in Putrajaya between Manet and then Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, defusing tensions along the two countries’ border.
The ceasefire, widely seen as a major Asean achievement, prevented a military escalation and ensured the safety of thousands of civilians. — Bernama
