ASEAN foreign ministers urge Cambodia, Thailand to halt fighting, restore ceasefire

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Dec. 22) — ASEAN foreign ministers on Monday called on Cambodia and Thailand to immediately end hostilities and fully implement existing ceasefire agreements, following a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

In a statement issued after the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the bloc said it was “seriously concerned” about continued tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border, which have led to casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure and the displacement of civilians on both sides.

The meeting was convened after a decision earlier this month by the prime ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand. Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, briefed ministers on diplomatic efforts led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to encourage both sides to stop the fighting. The ASEAN Observer Team also reported on its mandate, while Cambodia and Thailand presented their positions.

ASEAN welcomed the continued engagement of Anwar and U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as the involvement of ASEAN member states and China, in efforts to promote a peaceful resolution.

Ministers noted the willingness of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to work with the ASEAN chair to ease tensions and prevent further escalation.

The ministers reaffirmed ASEAN unity and centrality, stressing the bloc’s role in maintaining regional peace and stability under the ASEAN Charter. They recalled earlier agreements, including the July 28 ceasefire arrangement, decisions from the Aug. 7 Extraordinary General Border Committee meeting, and the Oct.
26 Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration, urging both countries to fully implement those commitments.

ASEAN called on Cambodia and Thailand to exercise maximum restraint, restore mutual trust and return to dialogue through bilateral mechanisms with the support of the ASEAN chair. The statement also urged both sides to pursue military de-escalation along the border under ASEAN Observer Team supervision and to uphold international law.

Ministers welcomed discussions on resuming the ceasefire and said the General Border Committee would meet Dec. 24 to discuss implementation and verification. ASEAN expressed hope for a swift de-escalation and pledged to continue monitoring the situation.