Thailand will sign a joint declaration, outlining bilateral relations, during the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia late this month, but only if Cambodia accepts preconditions, namely the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from border areas, demining, combatting transnational crimes and the management of priority border areas, said Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
This statement was made in the aftermath of consultations involving the US, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, on the preparation of the Joint Declaration. The document will outline a framework for addressing various issues between Thailand and Cambodia, with the aim of restoring cordial relations.
According to the Foreign Ministry, progress has been made on the four priority areas along the border, as specified by Thailand. The Thai and Cambodian secretariats of the General Border Committee will meet on Monday and Tuesday for further discussions on an action plan.
Sihasak said that, assuming that the two sides agree details of the action plan at the GBC meeting, the defence ministers of Thailand and Cambodia will sign the Joint Declaration during the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, in the presence of the Malaysian and the US delegations.
US President Donald Trump may be present to witness the signing of the document.
Sihasak also said that the Joint Declaration will then be forwarded to the cabinet for approval.
Regarding the release of the 18 Cambodian prisoners of war, as is being demanded by Phnom Penh, the foreign minister said that they will be set free once Cambodia agrees to full implementation of Thailand’s four preconditions.
