Cambodian Defence Ministry Firm On Maintaining Border Peace

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- The Cambodian National Defence Ministry today assured Malaysia that they are committed to implementing the border ceasefire to maintain peace in the region.

Deputy Prime Minister and National Defence Minister General Tea Seiha also thanked Malaysia for initiating a peaceful resolution to the volatile situation along the common border between Cambodia and Thailand. 

Malaysia was instrumental in achieving the ceasefire agreement on July 28, after tensions between the two militaries erupted into armed conflict on the morning of July 24. 

“This constructive engagement has contributed significantly to de-escalating tensions, preventing further loss of life and injuries, especially as this lays the foundation for lasting peace and stability in our region,” he said.

He said this in a letter addressed to Malaysia’s Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khalid Nordin, on August 8.

He further reiterated that the defence ministry remains committed to working closely with Malaysia and with all concerned parties to advance the peace process in the spirit of ASEAN unity and solidarity. 

The extraordinary Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting concluded successfully in Kuala Lumpur on August 7.

Since the border conflict broke out, Malaysia, as the ASEAN chair, has offered diplomatic support to quell tensions along the contentious borders spanning 817 kilometres in the northern part of Cambodia.

Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a ceasefire deal in Kuala Lumpur on July 28, bringing the five-day turmoil to a pause. 

The GBC was the outcome of the ceasefire deal, where both parties consented to engage in deeper diplomatic negotiations to halt further exacerbating the dispute that could have rattled regional security. 

--  BERNAMA