Backing Malaysian mediation, Asean urges ‘maximum restraint' in Thai-Cambodia clashes
In a joint statement, the ministers urged both nations to halt all hostilities and return to dialogue to prevent further casualties and destruction.
The ministers pointed to the displacement of thousands and the damage to public property, warning that continued violence risks destabilising the region.
'We emphasise the need for both sides to exercise maximum restraint and undertake an immediate ceasefire,' the statement said.
The crisis has escalated rapidly since a Cambodian soldier was killed in late May, triggering weeks of sporadic clashes that reignited last Thursday into the worst fighting in over a decade.
More than 30 people have been killed so far, including 13 civilians in Thailand and eight in Cambodia, while over 200,000 have been forced to flee border areas.
The joint statement reaffirmed Asean's commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful means based on the Asean Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and the United Nations Charter.
The ministers expressed full support for efforts by Malaysia, the Asean Chair, to mediate the dispute and bring both sides to the negotiating table.
Peace talks between Cambodia and Thailand were scheduled to begin in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, with US officials also present to assist in mediation efforts.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said officials from his State Department are in Malaysia to assist negotiations for a ceasefire.
Thailand and Cambodia previously said their representatives would meet in Malaysia today for discussions.
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New Straits Times
15 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
US welcomes Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire, urges full commitment
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The Star
15 minutes ago
- The Star
US grateful for Malaysia's role in brokering Thai-Cambodia truce
PETALING JAYA: The United States says it is grateful to Malaysia for hosting ceasefire talks between Thailand and Cambodia. In a statement on Monday (July 28) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the country applauds the ceasefire declaration between Cambodia and Thailand announced in Kuala Lumpur. "President Trump and I are committed to an immediate cessation of violence and expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honour their commitments to end this conflict. "We are grateful to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and for hosting the ceasefire talks. "We urge all parties to follow through on their commitments. The United States will remain committed to and engaged in this U.S.-Malaysia-organised process to end this conflict," he said. In a joint statement read by Anwar following the meeting on Monday, both Cambodia and Thailand confirmed their willingness to de-escalate tensions and return to normalcy through peaceful means. Anwar said the ceasefire, which takes effect at midnight, marks the first formal agreement between the two nations since the outbreak of violence along their shared border. "This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security," said Anwar. Key agreements from the trilateral meeting include: – An immediate and unconditional ceasefire effective midnight (July 29). – An informal meeting of regional military commanders from both sides on the morning of July 29, followed by a possible session with Asean defence attaches, pending agreement by both parties. – A General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on Aug 4 to be hosted by Cambodia.
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Malaysia's Experience As Mediator Brought Thailand, Cambodia To Negotiating Table
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