South East Asian foreign ministers meeting in Malaysia are seeking to revive a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia after two weeks of deadly border clashes that have killed at least 60 people and forced more than half a million from their homes.
Ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Kuala Lumpur on Monday to try to salvage a truce previously brokered by Malaysia, the current ASEAN chair, and U.S. President Donald Trump following border clashes in July.
The talks marked the first face-to-face meeting involving both governments since fighting resumed on 8 December. Thailand and Cambodia were represented by their respective foreign ministers.
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said the meeting was aimed at restoring stability in the region.
"It is my hope that this special meeting will renew our efforts for a return to stability in the affected areas. ASEAN must do whatever is necessary to maintain regional peace and stability," he said.
"Our goal goes beyond de-escalating the tension. We must intensify trust-building among the conflicting parties and provide the horizons for dialogue despite the prevailing differences."
The diplomatic effort comes as the U.S. and China pursue separate initiatives to end the conflict, with no clear breakthrough so far.
Bangkok and Phnom Penh accuse each other of responsibility for the latest violence and of breaching a ceasefire and enhanced truce agreed in October in Malaysia, in the presence of President Trump. That agreement included commitments to demining and the withdrawal of troops and heavy weapons.
Heavy exchanges of fire have since taken place at several points along the countries’ 817km land border, stretching from forested areas near Laos to coastal provinces.
Cambodia's defence ministry said Thailand had violated its sovereignty with more "armed aggression" on Monday and vowed to defend what it said was its territory "at any cost".
Thailand has accused Cambodia of attempting to fire rockets at a border town and said one of its soldiers lost a leg after stepping on a landmine. Bangkok has also alleged that Cambodia laid new mines in breach of international treaty obligations, a claim Phnom Penh denies.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he hoped the meeting would allow both sides to negotiate openly and reach a lasting settlement.
"I emphasised the importance for Cambodia and Thailand to uphold the spirit of dialogue, wisdom and mutual respect in order to end the tensions and maintain peace and stability in this region," he wrote on X.
An ASEAN team is expected to present findings from field observations and satellite-monitoring data provided by the U.S. to the foreign ministers.
U.S. and Pakistani leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end fighting between the United States and Iran, as Reut...
Tajikistan has strengthened its position as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies. According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and D...
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 to close out the series 4-1 and claim their first NBA championship since 1973, sparking celeb...
In the runup to the G7 summit, hosted by France in Évian-les-Bains on Monday, 15 June, China has addressed global economic balances in a videoconfer...
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stabilit...
Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati has died at the age of 47 after suffering prolonged health complications that left her in a coma for nearly four years.
A blaze at a popular market in northeast Thailand sent vendors fleeing and left five people in hospital, with police investigating a suspected electrical short circuit.
Thai investigators seized more than 100 protected wildlife remains after raiding a souvenir and traditional medicine shop accused of selling wildlife carcasses online.
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
SpaceX made a historic entrance into the Nasdaq on Friday, surging over 20% in its first day of trading and lifting its valuation to more than $2 trillion. Investors flocked to the world’s largest IPO, betting on Elon Musk’s sprawling empire spanning rockets, AI and beyond.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 to close out the series 4-1 and claim their first NBA championship since 1973, sparking celebrations across New York City.
In the runup to the G7 summit, hosted by France in Évian-les-Bains on Monday, 15 June, China has addressed global economic balances in a videoconference hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. It is a rarity for Beijing to engage directly with the group.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
Romania's centrist President Nicușor Dan on Sunday designated Adrian Veștea, a member of the liberal party, as prime minister, after independent candidate Eugen Tomac withdrew.
North Korea said on Sunday, 14 June, that denuclearisation is a matter that is irreversibly terminated, in a condemnation of recent nuclear deterrence talks between the U.S. and South Korea.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment