Malaysia Congratulates Cambodia On Successful Conclusion Of Peace Accords, TOR Finalisation - Mohamad
By Samantha Tan & Mohd Adli Shahar
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has congratulated Cambodia for the successful conclusion of the Kuala Lumpur Accords and the finalisation of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), an important mechanism to monitor and sustain the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn informed that both the Cambodian and Thai Chiefs of Defence Forces are scheduled to meet tomorrow to initiate a step-by-step plan for the withdrawal of heavy weapons and the restoration of the border area to its pre-conflict state.
"The Cambodian Foreign Minister expressed hope that with the finalisation of the TOR, the AOT could be deployed expeditiously to monitor the ceasefire arrangement between Cambodia and Thailand," he told Bernama after a bilateral meeting with his counterpart on the sidelines of 47th ASEAN Summit, here today.
Mohamad said Sokhonn further expressed hope that Malaysia would continue to lead the AOT, even after the conclusion of its ASEAN Chairmanship.
"While the matter is fundamentally a bilateral arrangement between Cambodia and Thailand, Malaysia is prepared to accommodate Cambodia's request," he added.
Mohamad said Sokhonn congratulated Malaysia on its successful ASEAN Chairmanship, noting that the region has achieved several historic milestones, including the ceasefire arrangement between Cambodia and Thailand, the signing of the peace agreement, and the admission of Timor-Leste as a full ASEAN member.
He said Sokhonn also expressed confidence that the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit, to be held from this Sunday to Oct 28, will be fruitful and successful under Malaysia’s leadership.
On bilateral matters, the Foreign Minister said Sokhonn looked forward to Malaysia hosting the 3rd Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), a key mechanism chaired by foreign ministers.
"Both sides agreed for Malaysia to host the 3rd JCBC in Penang in 2026, on a mutually agreed date," he added.
Previously, Mohamad was reported as saying Malaysia hopes that the TOR for the establishment of the AOT will be finalised by Cambodia and Thailand at the 47th ASEAN Summit.
He said, as ASEAN Chair, Malaysia looks forward to the move being realised, which would further strengthen the AOT’s role along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
Cambodia and Thailand have long been locked in a decades-old dispute marked by intermittent armed clashes along their 817-kilometre shared border.
The border standoff, which flared up on July 24 following an exchange of fire between Cambodian and Thai forces, was brought to an end on July 28 after both sides struck a deal during a special meeting hosted by Malaysia in Putrajaya.
-- BERNAMA
