PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of Thailand and Cambodia met at the Malaysian Prime Minister's residence here on Monday to discuss a ceasefire between the two countries.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, along with their respective delegations, arrived at the official residence of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is hosting and facilitating the talks to discuss a ceasefire on a conflict that broke out along the border of Cambodia and Thailand last week.
Before the meeting, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers released a joint statement Monday morning, calling on both sides to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from taking any actions that may undermine ceasefire efforts.
"We are deeply concerned over the ongoing situation at the border areas between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand which have resulted in an increasing number of casualties on both sides and destruction of public properties, as well as displacement of a large number of people along the border areas," the statement said.
"We further urge both sides to cease all hostilities, return to the negotiating table to restore peace and stability, and settle disputes and differences by peaceful means, based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the ASEAN Charter, as well as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and in the spirit of ASEAN family, unity and good neighbourliness," it added.
Armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers over disputed border areas have entered the fifth day as more than 100 people have been killed or injured with thousands evacuated on both sides, according to figures provided by the two countries. ■
