Asean's convening power ends Thailand-Cambodia border tensions, says Anwar
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said as Asean Chair, Malaysia was entrusted with the responsibility of hosting the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand at a time when rising border tensions had become a serious concern for member states.
"I believed that, despite the dangerous and escalating situation, it was both vital and possible to bring the two sides to the negotiating table.
"In the lead-up to the meeting, I spoke to both leaders, took care to listen to their perspectives, and urged them to find common ground in the interest of ensuring no more lives were lost.
"With the participation of the United States and President Donald Trump himself engaging directly with both prime ministers (Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham), that of course further encouraged and helped facilitate the arrangement, as well as China, both sides agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
"This reflects not only the strength of Asean's convening power, but also the constructive engagement of our partners in safeguarding regional stability," he said in his policy speech on Asean, during his visit to the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia today.
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