The Cambodia defence ministry has accepted their Thai counterpart’s request to hold General Border Committee (GBC) discussions in Malaysia, where a ceasefire between the two neighbouring kingdoms was signed earlier this week to end five days of armed clashes.
In a letter to Natthaphon Narkphanit, acting defence minister of Thailand, Cambodian Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha said that “it would be my pleasure to lead the senior official delegation to attend the above-mentioned meeting you have proposed”.
The GBC meeting is slated to take place from August 4-7 in Malaysia, a neutral location, at the request of the Thais, a change from the original plans to hold them in Cambodia, as laid out in the ceasefire agreement.
“As Malaysia, the US and China were key players in mediating the July 28 ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand, I would like to propose that representatives from the above three countries participate as observers in this upcoming extraordinary meeting of the General Border Committee,” Seiha said in the letter.
He shared his sincere appreciation towards Malaysia, which serves as the rotating ASEAN chair and chair of the International Observer Team, with the US and China, who have played an important role.
“I look forward to the opportunity to meet with you and engage in a constructive dialogue aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the matter,” said Seiha.
In a letter to Seiha a day prior, Natthaphon Narkphanit requested that the meeting it be convened in Malaysia, given the sensitive nature of the situation in both our countries.
“While it is acknowledged that, under normal circumstances, the hosting of bilateral meetings is conducted on a rotational basis, and that Thailand most recently served as host, this upcoming session is of an extraordinary nature.
“I therefore believe it would be appropriate to hold the meeting in a neutral location. Thailand has communicated this issue with Malaysia and learned that they are ready to provide the venue for this important dialogue,” wrote Natthaphon.
Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at Royal Academy of Cambodia, noted that, Cambodia, a peace-loving nation with an unwavering commitment to international harmony, has fully honoured and sincerely implemented the terms of the ceasefire.
He said Cambodia remains steadfast in its dedication to peace, stability and mutual respect in the region.
“The world is watching, and history will ultimately judge our actions,” he observed.
“As a sincere and constructive partner in peace, Cambodia agreed to this request and further proposed the participation of observers from Malaysia, the US and China to ensure transparency and accountability. The international community can now clearly see which party has fully honoured and faithfully implemented the ceasefire agreement,” he added.
The four-day session will be divided into two sections. August 4-6 will focus on a secretariat meeting and August 7 will be an “extraordinary” meeting of GBC.
