Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – On December 22, Malaysia, the ASEAN Chair, hosted a special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on the situation in Cambodia and Thailand. The meeting aimed to implement the consensus reached by the prime ministers of the three countries on December 11, jointly explore effective ways to ease border tensions, and promote the peaceful resolution of related disputes.
I. Review of Efforts and Progress by All Parties
The meeting heard a briefing from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the ASEAN Chair, on the efforts made by Cambodia and Thailand to promote a cessation of hostilities. The ASEAN Observer Mission (AOT) briefed the assembly, and representatives from Cambodia and Thailand elaborated on their respective positions and the current border situation.
The meeting highly commended the constructive role played by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump, with the active participation of ASEAN member states and China, in promoting a peaceful resolution to the situation. The meeting also appreciated the willingness of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to maintain close communication with the ASEAN Chair, strive to resolve misunderstandings, and prevent the escalation of conflict.
II. Reaffirming Core Principles and Existing Agreements
The meeting emphasized ASEAN's firm commitment to maintaining regional peace, security, and stability, reaffirmed ASEAN's central role in regional affairs, and pledged to uphold the spirit of the ASEAN Charter.
The meeting reviewed and urged Cambodia and Thailand to fully and effectively implement previously reached key agreements, including the ceasefire agreement reached on July 28; the decisions of the special defense ministerial meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Committee on Border Affairs (GBC) on August 7; and the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration signed on October 26.
III. Concern over the Humanitarian Situation and Security Challenges
The foreign ministers expressed serious concern about the current tensions and hostilities, noting that the conflict has resulted in casualties, infrastructure damage, and the displacement of a large number of civilians. The meeting urgently called on both sides to take necessary measures to ensure the safe and dignified return of affected civilians to their homes and the swift restoration of normal social order.
IV. Calls for Restraint, Dialogue, and De-escalation
The meeting solemnly reiterated that all parties to the dispute should, on the basis of mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, equality, and territorial integrity, and in accordance with the UN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), adhere to resolving disputes peacefully, and strictly prohibit the use of force or the threat of force.
Regarding the current situation, the meeting urged Cambodia and Thailand to exercise maximum restraint and immediately cease all forms of hostilities; called for the resumption of bilateral dialogue mechanisms, utilizing the mediation role of the ASEAN chair to restore mutual trust; and, under the supervision of the ASEAN Observer Group (AOT), to implement military de-escalation along the common border and resume humanitarian demining cooperation.
V. Future Outlook and Action Plan
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers welcomed the discussions between the two sides on restoring the ceasefire and announced that a special meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Committee on Border Affairs (GBC) will be held on December 24, focusing on the implementation details and verification mechanisms of the ceasefire agreement.
ASEAN member states unanimously stated that they will continue to closely monitor developments and look forward to a swift de-escalation of hostilities, working together to maintain peace, security, and prosperity in the region.
