KUALA LUMPUR: Talks to resolve Thailand and Cambodia’s border tensions are expected to be concluded by Thursday (Aug 7), says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said army generals of both countries are currently in Kuala Lumpur for a meeting coordinated by Malaysia.
“We extend our appreciation to the Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces for helping to coordinate this meeting.
“We hope that some common ground facilitated by Malaysia can be reached before or on Aug 7, as the Defence Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand will be present to reach an agreement,” he said during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Aug 5).
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Rodiyah Sapiee (GPS-Batang Sadong) had asked Anwar to clarify Malaysia’s role in facilitating the peace negotiations and ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, which have reached an agreement to end their border conflict.
Anwar also thanked Asean member states that provided support and the mandate for Malaysia to lead the ceasefire agreement.
“They all agreed to send their defense attachés to continue monitoring (the situation), and the meeting in Kuala Lumpur (will be conducted by) the Malaysian defence attachés with the presence of Asean (members’) defence attachés.
“Both the United States and China will attend as observers only, but this is a Malaysian initiative fully supported by Asean,” he added.
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He also extended gratitude to both the Thai and Cambodian governments, which had expressed their positive commitment to finding a resolution.
On July 28, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an unconditional and immediate ceasefire following a special meeting in Putrajaya chaired by Anwar.
At the meeting, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai also agreed to convene a General Border Committee Meeting as part of the ceasefire agreement.
