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PH ready to mediate talks between Thailand, Cambodia after special meeting

Philippines | National

PH ready to mediate talks between Thailand, Cambodia after special meeting

By Joseph Pedrajas

Photo courtesy of DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro

Photo courtesy of DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro

The Philippines on Monday, Dec. 22, said it is willing to mediate talks between Thailand and Cambodia, its two neighboring countries where fighting over border disputes continues.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro attended a special meeting with her counterparts in Kuala Lumpur to discuss developments in the two countries.

Malaysia, the outgoing chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), hosted the meeting to provide platform for the foreign ministers of the bloc to exchange views on the current situation and to consider possible steps that ASEAN may take in support of the ongoing efforts towards de-escalation and cessation of hostilities.

"The convening of the Special Meeting reflects the commitment of ASEAN Member States to ASEAN unity and solidarity, as well as ASEAN Centrality in maintaining peace, security, stability and prosperity in this region, in accordance with the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC)," the host Malaysia said in a statement.

Following the discussions, the Philippines' top diplomat said Manila is prepared to assume the role to mediate.

The Philippines is "prepared to assume the role of facilitator/mediator between Cambodia and Thailand should both parties decide to make use of the good offices of the Chair once the Philippines assumes the Chairship in January 2026," the DFA said in a statement.

"I also expressed the Philippines' support for any agreement between the two Parties towards a peaceful and sustainable solution to the situation under the facilitation of the ASEAN Chair Malaysia," Lazaro added in a post on X.

Related Tags

Cambodia Thailand DFA

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