By Joyce Ann Rocamora | Philippine News Agency
The Philippines, as the upcoming chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), welcomed the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand after weeks of fierce border clashes.
Thailand and Cambodia reached a truce on Saturday, ending the violent border fights that left at least 101 people dead.
“The Philippines fully supports the latest move by Cambodia and Thailand to return to a ceasefire and acknowledges the desire of both parties to return to dialogue and seek a peaceful and durable means to resolve the issue,” Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Angelica Escalona said on Monday night.
In a joint statement released on Saturday, both sides agreed to implement de-escalation measures, including allowing civilians residing in the affected border areas to return.
The two states also agreed not to increase forces along the entire Cambodia-Thailand border.
In the following two-day summit on Dec. 28 to 29, Cambodia’s Foreign Minister, Prak Sokhonn, and his Thai counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Yunnan, China, to consolidate the ceasefire and discuss steps to resume normal exchanges and rebuild mutual trust. (PNA)
