Jakarta, hitclubapk3 Indonesia
—
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia)
Sugiono
encouraging Thailand and Cambodia to immediately stop the war on the border.
Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Monday (22/12) gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to hold a Special Meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers regarding the Cambodia vs Thailand war.
Thailand and Cambodia have been in conflict again since December 8 after a Bangkok soldier was killed in a shootout on the border.Both countries blamed each other about who first started the war.
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During the meeting, Sugiono expressed his appreciation for Malaysia as chairman of ASEAN.He also encouraged Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint, stop military action, and immediately return to the negotiating table in accordance with the ASEAN Charter and the spirit of ASEAN unity.
Sugiono highlighted the loss of life, injuries and displacement of civilians in both countries.According to him, this is a serious humanitarian problem and must be addressed immediately.
Sugiono on that occasion also expressed Indonesia’s readiness to play a constructive role, including through the contribution of personnel in the ASEAN Observer Team, to help monitor the situation in the field in accordance with ASEAN’s mandate.
He also emphasized the importance of strengthening ASEAN’s capacity in conflict prevention and peaceful resolution, including through the use of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and other ASEAN mechanisms.
The meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers was chaired by Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohammad Hasan and attended by all ASEAN foreign ministers, except for Myanmar, which was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a non-political representative, and Vietnam, which was represented at the High Level Official level.
This meeting produced a Chair’s Statement which emphasized the members’ commitment to ASEAN unity and centrality.The statement also called on the relevant parties to return to a peace agreement, restore trust, and return to dialogue, both through bilateral mechanisms and with the facilities of the ASEAN Chair.
“In essence, Indonesia has always believed that our two families in ASEAN, Cambodia and Thailand, will find a way of peace through dialogue with the full support of ASEAN,” said Sugiono.
Thailand-Cambodia agree to discussions
Thailand’s Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, said Cambodia had agreed to hold talks this week.Foreign Minister Sihasak announced plans for the bilateral meeting at the end of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Malaysia today.
Speaking to journalists, Sihasak said that the discussions would be held within the framework of the existing Joint Border Committee, and would take place on Wednesday (24/12).He said the meeting was “proposed by the Cambodian side”.
He said this week’s meeting might not result in an immediate ceasefire.
“Our position is that a ceasefire does not just come with an announcement, but must come from action,” he said, quoted by AFP.
“Sometimes we really need to sit down and discuss things, so that the things we agree on actually apply and are respected,” he added.
(blq/dna)