By The South Asia Times

Kuala Lumpur — ASEAN foreign ministers on Monday urged Thailand and Cambodia to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps toward the cessation of all hostilities, following a special meeting convened to address the escalating border situation between the two neighbours.

The Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur pursuant to a decision taken earlier this month by the prime ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand. The ministers reviewed the security situation along the shared border and exchanged views with both Cambodian and Thai representatives.

Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair, briefed the meeting on efforts undertaken by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to encourage both sides to cease hostilities, while the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) presented its assessment based on its mandate. Cambodia and Thailand also shared their respective positions.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the ministers welcomed the continued engagement of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald J. Trump, with active participation from ASEAN member states and China, in promoting a peaceful resolution. They also took note of the willingness of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to continue engaging with the ASEAN Chair to ease tensions and prevent further escalation.

The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to ASEAN unity and centrality in safeguarding regional peace, security and stability, in line with the ASEAN Charter. They recalled earlier confidence-building measures, including the July 28 ceasefire arrangement, decisions of the August 7 Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, and the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration signed on October 26, urging both sides to fully and effectively implement those agreements.

ASEAN expressed serious concern over continued hostilities, which have resulted in casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure and the displacement of civilians on both sides of the border. The ministers called on Cambodia and Thailand to ensure that affected civilians are able to return to their homes and livelihoods in safety and dignity.

The statement reiterated a shared commitment to refraining from the threat or use of force, the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for international boundaries and international law, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

ASEAN also called on both countries to restore mutual trust and confidence, return to dialogue through bilateral mechanisms, make use of the good offices of the ASEAN Chair, revive cooperation on humanitarian demining and implement military de-escalation measures along the border under AOT observation.

The foreign ministers welcomed discussions on resuming the ceasefire and said the General Border Committee would meet on December 24 to discuss implementation and verification. They expressed hope that hostilities would de-escalate as soon as possible and said ASEAN would remain seized of the matter.