4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Thailand, Cambodia agree in principle on ceasefire monitoring
KUALA LUMPUR: The joint working group discussions between Thailand and Cambodia, held since Monday, have, in principle, reached a consensus on key issues concerning the implementation of a ceasefire along the two countries' border.
Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar said the agreement in principle included the terms of reference (TOR) for the monitoring to be carried out by the interim Asean Defence Attaché Observer Team and the Asean Defence Attaché Observer Team (AOT).
"Alhamdulillah, an agreement in principle has been reached. However, there are still several matters being refined, and they will be decided at the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting tomorrow," he said when contacted.
The secretariat-level meeting, attended by nearly 40 representatives from Thailand and Cambodia, took place at Wisma Perwira ahead of the GBC meeting tomorrow.
Currently, the interim AOT has already been deployed, led by Malaysia's defence attachés in Bangkok and Phnom Penh, who are conducting field observations.
Once agreed upon, the AOT will take over the duties currently performed by the defence attachés.
Earlier today, Nizam expressed hopes that both parties involved in the ongoing GBC process would reach an agreement and honour it.
The GBC is part of a ceasefire agreement reached between Thailand and Cambodia at a special meeting in Putrajaya on July 28.
Tensions between the two Asean member states escalated on May 28 following a clash between troops in the Preah Vihear border area, reigniting a long-standing dispute over their 817km shared border.
The fighting led to 15 deaths and displaced more than 100,000 people.
On July 28, Malaysia, as Asean chair, hosted a meeting involving Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayacha in Kuala Lumpur.
After the meeting, Anwar said the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand marked the beginning of efforts to rebuild trust, confidence and cooperation between the two countries.
Phumtham said the outcome reflected Thailand's commitment to a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution, while continuing to protect its sovereignty and the lives of its people.
