The meeting of the Joint Border Commission (GBC) between Thailand and Cambodia held in Kuala Lumpur from August 4-7 agreed to include representatives from China, the US and Malaysia - the ASEAN Chair this year, as observers.
A three-way online meeting between Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia was held on August 2 to prepare for the GBC meeting, The Nation Thailand reported on August 3.
This discussion demonstrates the commitment of the parties to peaceful participation and constructive dialogue, and hopes to contribute to the common responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in the ASEAN region - according to a Facebook post by Malaysian Defense Minister Khaled Nordin.
Acting Defense Minister of Thailand, General Natthapon Nakpanich, welcomed the consensus on holding an extraordinary GBC meeting in Malaysia.
"I am pleased to confirm that Thailand has accepted the proposal to include representatives from Malaysia, as Chairmen of ASEAN, the US and China, which have supported since July 28, as observers at the GBC meeting," Natthapon said, adding that observers from the three countries are expected to participate on August 7.
On July 31, Cambodian Defense Minister tea seiha sent a letter to General Nattaphon Narkphanit, Deputy Defense Minister of Thailand, proposing Malaysia, the US and China to participate as observers at the GBC meeting, while acknowledging their important role as mediators in the ceasefire on July 28.
"We sincerely hope that this meeting will be constructive and bring positive results," said Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, a spokesperson for the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense.
The conflict along the Thailand - Cambodia border began with a brief clash on May 28 and escalated into an armed conflict on July 24.
As of July 28, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire after a special meeting in Putrajaya chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"The focus of the GBC meeting is expected to be on resolving conflicts," said Mr. Ge Hongliang, Deputy Director of the Department of ASEAN Research at the University of Ethnic Minorities in Guangxi. According to him, although the ceasefire agreement has come into effect, the leniency clashes continue, suggesting that potential tensions have not been resolved.
