S'pore urges Cambodia & Thailand to de-escalate, calls for peaceful resolution: Vivian Balakrishnan

Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan urged both Thailand and Cambodia to de-escalate the situation, resume talks and resolve their dispute "peacefully".

In a Facebook post on Dec. 22, he said that Singapore is "deeply concerned" about the ongoing situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

He had attended the Special Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the current situation between Cambodia and Thailand held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In a Dec. 22 statement, the Asean chair said that the meeting was part of Malaysia prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's efforts to encourage both countries to cease hostilities.

Thailand and Cambodia urged to "exercise maximum restraint"

According to the statement, Asean foreign ministers convened a special meeting on Dec. 22 to address escalating tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, following a decision by the prime ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand.

Malaysia, as the current Asean chair, briefed the meeting on efforts by Anwar to encourage both sides to halt hostilities.

Ministers also received an update from the Asean Observer Team (AOT) in line with its mandate, while Cambodia and Thailand presented their respective positions.

They also noted the willingness of Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet and Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul to continue engaging the Asean chair to ease tensions and prevent further escalation.

The ministers expressed serious concern over ongoing hostilities, and called upon both parties to ensure that civilians residing in the affected border areas are able to return, without obstruction and in safety and dignity, to their homes and normal livelihoods.

"The Meeting urged Cambodia and Thailand to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps towards the cessation of all forms of hostilities. The Meeting called on both countries to restore mutual trust and confidence, and to return to dialogue, including through bilateral mechanisms as well as making use of the good offices of the Asean Chair," the statement read.

Asean foreign ministers have also welcomed discussions to resume the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.

The General Border Committee (GBC) is expected to convene on Dec. 24 for discussions on the implementation and verification of the ceasefire.

"Singapore is deeply concerned"

In his post, Vivian said that the special meeting "was an important step to discuss the resumption of the ceasefire".

He said that Singapore is deeply concerned about the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border and reports of casualties on both sides, and that the country welcomes the convening of the GBC on Dec. 24.

He concluded: "I urged our colleagues from both sides to de-escalate the situation, resume talks, and resolve their dispute peacefully. As Asean, our collective future is brighter only if we stand united."