Cambodia and Thailand will hold a meeting of their General Border Committees (GBC) on December 24 to discuss the resumption of the ceasefire agreement that was suspended by Thailand. The suspension was followed by renewed fighting, which has so far lasted 16 days.
Following the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting today, December 22, in Kuala Lumpur, a statement from ASEAN chair Malaysia noted that Cambodia and Thailand have been urged to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps towards the cessation of all forms of hostilities.
The meeting called on both countries to restore mutual trust and confidence and return to dialogue, including through bilateral mechanisms, as well as making use of the good offices of the ASEAN Chair.
Both sides will also revive cooperation on humanitarian demining and implement military de-escalation measures along their shared border under the observation of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), as well as to uphold the principles of international law, peaceful co-existence and multilateral cooperation, in the pursuit of a peaceful, durable resolution to the situation.
“The ASEAN foreign ministers welcomed the discussions on resumption of the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. The GBC will convene on December 24 to discuss the implementation and verification of the ceasefire. The ministers expressed hope for de-escalation of hostilities as soon as possible,” said the statement.
Cambodia had reported 20 civilian deaths and more than 80 wounded as of December 22, while Thai authorities reported to the UN Office of Human Rights that as of December 18, one Thai civilian was killed.
