Vietnam expresses stance at Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Cambodia-Thailand situation
WVR - On December 22, the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the current situation between Cambodia and Thailand was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. On behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang led the Vietnamese delegation at the meeting.
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| Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the current situation between Cambodia and Thailand held on December 22. (Source: ASEAN Secretariat) |
During the meeting, ASEAN Foreign Ministers expressed deep concern over the prolonged tensions causing civilian casualties, material damage, and infrastructure destruction, severely affecting the lives of people in the Cambodia-Thailand border area. They emphasized the negative impact on peace, security, and stability in the region. The ministers stressed that both countries should exercise maximum restraint, immediately take steps to end the conflict, implement a ceasefire, and create conditions for people to return to normal life.
Affirming support for ASEAN's central role, especially the leadership and coordination role of the ASEAN Chair, in assisting parties to narrow differences, build trust, and create favorable conditions for resuming dialogue, the ministers encouraged Cambodia and Thailand to continue using bilateral mechanisms. They also urged effective use of the mediation efforts and goodwill of the ASEAN Chair and the participation and support of ASEAN member countries and partners to work towards a long-term peace solution, in line with international law and ASEAN's fundamental principles.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang led the Vietnamese delegation at the meeting. (Source: ASEAN Secretariat) |
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Vietnamese delegation, appreciated Malaysia's timely convening of the meeting, considering it a significant contribution to continuing the efforts of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as ASEAN Chair 2025, to support Cambodia and Thailand in seeking a long-term solution for regional peace, stability, and security. Vietnam supports Malaysia's proactive, consistent, and effective leadership role as ASEAN Chair.
Amid recent complex developments, the Deputy Minister shared Vietnam's deep concern about the situation and its negative impacts not only on bilateral relations and the people of Cambodia and Thailand but also on ASEAN's unity, centrality, and credibility. He emphasized the importance of promoting ASEAN's spirit of solidarity, collective action, and responsibility in matters related to regional peace and security.
Vietnam welcomed the goodwill of Cambodia and Thailand, as demonstrated through commitments made, including the July 28 Agreement, the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration on October 26, and the establishment of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), as well as new ceasefire proposals presented at the meeting. The Deputy Minister stressed that Vietnam calls on both sides to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from using force, fully implement commitments made, and resolve disputes peacefully, in accordance with international law, the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), expressing hope for an early ceasefire agreement.
The Deputy Minister affirmed Vietnam's readiness to continue actively supporting and closely coordinating with ASEAN countries to promote initiatives and appropriate approaches within ASEAN, including leveraging existing ASEAN mediation and reconciliation mechanisms, to help Cambodia and Thailand restore peace and stabilize relations soon.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Malaysia, on behalf of ASEAN countries, issued an ASEAN Chair's Statement on the discussions at the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Cambodia-Thailand situation, noting that Cambodia and Thailand have resumed ceasefire talks and will convene the Joint Border Committee on December 24 to discuss specific issues.
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| Delegates at the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the current situation between Cambodia and Thailand. (Source: ASEAN Secretariat) |
* On the sidelines of the meeting, Deputy Minister Đặng Hoàng Giang met with Foreign Ministers of several ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretary-General to discuss bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual concern. Partners appreciated Vietnam's diplomatic role, efforts, constructive opinions, and contributions in recent times to help Cambodia and Thailand engage in dialogue and resolve differences.
The Deputy Minister appreciated the proactive role and timely proposal of the ASEAN Secretary-General in suggesting the organization of the special meeting, contributing to creating a framework for exchange and coordination to promote dialogue, restraint, and finding solutions aligned with ASEAN's common interests. The Deputy Minister also shared that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge to support the parties involved in promoting dialogue and resolving conflicts in a constructive spirit.
* On this occasion, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang held a working session with Ms. Adina Kamarudin, Director General of the Maritime Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, and Mr. Nushirwan Zainal Abidin, Director General, Chief of Staff of the National Security Council of Malaysia. During the meetings, both sides appreciated the comprehensive strategic partnership's positive development between the two countries, agreeing to continue maintaining high-level visits and contacts, effectively implementing commitments and agreements reached, enhancing trade cooperation, aiming to achieve a bilateral trade target of 20 billion USD, and further expanding people-to-people exchanges, tourism, and education cooperation. Both sides emphasized that maritime cooperation remains a crucial pillar in bilateral relations, requiring further comprehensive cooperation, especially in maritime security, fishing cooperation, marine resource exploitation, marine infrastructure, energy, and oil and gas.
Both sides agreed to continue cooperating in addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang shared Vietnam's progress and achievements in combating IUU fishing, including completing the legal framework, strictly controlling fishing vessel activities at sea, tracing the origin of caught seafood, strengthening patrol and control forces at sea, and strictly handling violations, including prosecuting several serious IUU fishing violations.
The Deputy Foreign Minister once again affirmed Vietnam's determination to combat IUU fishing and develop sustainable fisheries. Both sides agreed to continue closely coordinating in combating IUU fishing, exchanging and providing information on cases of fishing vessels and fishermen violating regulations between the two countries for coordinated handling, as well as in other maritime cooperation areas.
