The ASEAN Special Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the ongoing situation between Cambodia and Thailand was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday. On behalf of Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang led the Vietnamese delegation at the event.

ASEAN foreign ministers voiced serious concerns over the prolonged tensions that have caused civilian casualties, material damage, and infrastructure losses-severely affecting local communities and posing a significant threat to peace, security, and stability across the region.

The ministers emphasized the urgent need for both countries to exercise maximum restraint, take immediate steps to end the conflict, enforce a ceasefire, and create conditions for citizens to return to normal life.

They reaffirmed their support for ASEAN’s central role, especially the leadership and coordination by the ASEAN Chair, in narrowing differences, building trust, and creating a favorable platform for dialogue.

The ministers also encouraged Cambodia and Thailand to continue utilizing bilateral mechanisms while taking full advantage of the mediation efforts by the ASEAN Chair and the support of ASEAN member states and partners to pursue a long-term peaceful solution in accordance with international law.

Addressing the meeting, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang affirmed Vietnam’s support for Malaysia’s active, consistent, and effective leadership as ASEAN Chair.

He conveyed Vietnam’s deep concern over the current situation and its detrimental impact not only on Cambodia–Thailand relations and their people, but also on ASEAN’s unity, centrality, and credibility.

The Deputy Minister highlighted the importance of fostering ASEAN solidarity, collective action, and shared responsibility in matters of regional peace and security.

Vietnam welcomed the goodwill gestures from both Cambodia and Thailand as reflected in prior agreements, including the 28 July accord, the Kuala Lumpur Joint Statement on 26 October, the establishment of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), and new ceasefire proposals presented at the meeting.

He emphasized that Vietnam urges both sides to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from the use of force, fully implement their commitments, and resolve disputes peacefully in line with international law, the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). Vietnam hopes that both sides will soon reach a ceasefire agreement.

Vietnam stands ready to actively support and closely coordinate with ASEAN member states to promote appropriate initiatives and approaches, including utilizing ASEAN’s existing mediation and reconciliation mechanisms to help Cambodia and Thailand restore peace and stability in their relations.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Malaysia, on behalf of ASEAN, issued a Chairman’s Statement summarizing the discussions. The statement acknowledged that Cambodia and Thailand had resumed ceasefire talks and would convene a Joint Border Committee meeting on December 24 to discuss specific issues.

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang also held separate talks with foreign ministers from several ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretary-General. These partners commended Vietnam’s constructive role, diplomatic efforts, and valuable contributions to fostering dialogue and easing tensions between Cambodia and Thailand.

Deputy Minister Giang reaffirmed Vietnam’s readiness to serve as a bridge to support the parties involved in advancing dialogue and resolving the conflict in a spirit of cooperation.

Tran Thuong