Kuala Lumpur: In a landmark step for Southeast Asian diplomacy, Cambodia and Thailand formally signed a long-awaited peace agreement in Malaysia on Sunday, ending years of border tensions and military standoffs.
The historic accord, dubbed the “Cambodia-Thailand Peace Accord,” was signed in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of US President Donald Trump, who played a pivotal role in brokering the deal, alongside Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN Chair Anwar Ibrahim.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul officially endorsed the pact, hailed as a major milestone for regional stability. The ceremony was attended by senior diplomats, ASEAN representatives, and delegates from several global powers.
President Trump, presiding over the event, highlighted the importance of economic diplomacy in fostering peace. He announced that the United States had concurrently finalised two agreements: a new trade deal with Cambodia and a strategic minerals partnership with Thailand.
“We do transactions, lots of them, with both nations as long as they live in peace,” Trump said. “When we make deals, and we see two countries we do a lot of business with, we have to use that business to make sure they don’t get into wars.”
Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his gratitude to Trump for his “decisive leadership” and “tireless efforts” in facilitating the accord. “No matter how difficult and complex a dispute may be, it must be resolved through peaceful means,” he said, describing the agreement as a new chapter in Cambodia-Thailand relations. He also thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for hosting the talks and guiding the negotiation process.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul echoed these sentiments, acknowledging Trump’s diplomatic initiative and expressing appreciation for his condolences following the recent passing of Thailand’s Queen Mother. “This peace agreement gives our people renewed hope for a stable and prosperous future,” he stated.
The accord lays out provisions for mutual border security, the creation of joint development zones, and the establishment of a bilateral peace commission to oversee implementation.
With IANS inputs