Latest news with #OtakaMasato
The Star
03-08-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodia confirms Malaysia-led Asean defence attache team to monitor ceasefire
Japan's Ambassador to Thailand Otaka Masato reacts next to a woman, injured from an artillery shell that struck a 7-Eleven convenience store and gas station on July 24, which also resulted in multiple fatalities, as foreign military attaches from major powers and Asean member countries and diplomats from 23 countries inspect the site, following a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, in Sisaket province, Thailand, August 1, 2025. has invited foreign missions based in Phnom Penh to observe the implementation of the ceasefire along the border in Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap provinces. - Reuters PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's National Defence Ministry announced on Sunday (Aug 3) that an interim Asean Defence Attache Observer Team, led by Malaysia, will monitor the implementation of the ceasefire in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces. The team consists of military attaches from seven member states - Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam - will conduct field observations on August 3. Meanwhile, Cambodian top negotiators will head to Kuala Lumpur for the General Border Committee (GBC) negotiations, where the release of 18 soldiers held captive by the Thai army is likely to top their agenda. The soldiers are being held following a border conflict between the countries that erupted on July 24. The bilateral talks, scheduled from August 4 to 7, are part of a ceasefire agreement reached between Cambodia and Thailand on July 28, which led to temporary de-escalation and pushed back soldiers to their barracks. The GBC talks are being hosted by Malaysia in its capacity as the 2025 Asean Chair, and take place within the framework of the Asean- and internationally backed ceasefire. Cambodia is shoring up diplomatic support. It has invited foreign missions based in Phnom Penh to observe the implementation of the ceasefire along the border in Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap provinces. More than 20 diplomats and representatives from various United Nations agencies participated in these inspection visits on Friday and Saturday. "It underscores Cambodia's steadfast commitment to international law, de-escalation and continued adherence to the Asean Charter, the UN Charter, and the ceasefire agreement," Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry spokesman Chum Sounry told a media briefing on Saturday. "Cambodia looks forward to advancing de-escalation efforts through the upcoming General Border Committee meeting." The armed confrontation that broke out on July 24 and lasted for five days triggered a diplomatic pause between Cambodia and Thailand, two neighbours that have yet to resolve their 817-kilometre border dispute dating back to 1907. Dr Kin Phea, Director-General of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, emphasised that both governments must honour the ceasefire agreement if lasting peace is to be achieved in the region. "Both sides must maintain utmost restraint and resolve the conflict peacefully under legal frameworks and mechanisms, and both sides must fully and consistently respect international law and the UN Charter,' he told Bernama. The dispute caused over 170,000 Cambodians to vacate their homes in several northern provinces. - Bernama
The Star
02-08-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand agrees to Malaysia, US and China observers for GBC meeting in Kuala Lumpur
Japan's Ambassador to Thailand Otaka Masato reacts next to a woman, injured from an artillery shell that struck a 7-Eleven convenience store and gas station on July 24, which also resulted in multiple fatalities, as foreign military attaches from major powers and Asean member countries and diplomats from 23 countries inspect the site, following a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, in Sisaket province, Thailand, August 1, 2025. -- REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa BANGKOK (Bernama): Thailand has agreed to the inclusion of representatives from Malaysia, this year's Asean Chair, alongside the United States and China as observers at the upcoming General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, set to take place in Kuala Lumpur next week. Acting Defence Minister General Natthapon Nakpanich welcomed the consensus on holding the extraordinary GBC meeting in Malaysia from August 4 to 7, expressing appreciation for the collaborative effort. "It is my pleasure to confirm that Thailand accepts the proposal to include representatives from Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair, US and China, who have been providing assistance since July 28, as observers to the GBC meeting,' he said in a statement. He added that the participation of observers from Malaysia, the United States, and China is scheduled to take place on August 7. Natthapon also expressed his sincere appreciation to all parties involved in making the preparations possible, particularly to the Malaysian side for its excellent coordination in arranging this important meeting. Last Thursday, Thailand's Defence Ministry proposed that the upcoming GBC meeting be held on neutral ground, suggesting Malaysia as the venue, and recommended that it run from Aug 4 to 7 to allow sufficient time for comprehensive discussions. Conflict at the Thai-Cambodian border began with a brief skirmish on May 28 and escalated into armed clashes on July 24. On Monday, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire following a special meeting hosted in Putrajaya by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the current Asean Chair. - Bernama
