Jakarta: ASEAN is set to hold an urgent Foreign Ministers' Meeting on December 22nd to address escalating tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, as confirmed by Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaew. The meeting aims to assess the current situation, discuss Thailand's position, and explore how ASEAN can facilitate mediation and conflict resolution between the two nations.
According to Thai News Agency, Sihasak reiterated Thailand's commitment to peaceful resolution, stating that the country did not initiate the conflict. Despite Cambodia expressing a desire for a ceasefire, Sihasak questioned the sincerity of such proposals, citing actions on the ground that contradict peace overtures.
Sihasak also addressed China's involvement, noting that Thailand welcomes international goodwill and mediation efforts, provided they remain impartial. He emphasized the necessity for an unbiased mediator to ensure a fair resolution process.
In anticipation of discussions with the Cambodian Foreign Minister, Sihasak expressed his intention to seek clarity on Cambodia's ceasefire proposal. He underscored that since Thailand did not trigger the conflict, initial peace efforts should originate from the Cambodian side.