US pushing for ceasefire, ‘sustainable peace’

Prime Minister Hun Manet and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke via phone on December 25. Supplied.

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The US is pushing for an immediate ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia and wants to see a sustainable peace between the two nations.

The commitment was shared during a phone call between Prime Minister Hun Manet and Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, on December 25.

Manet stated that he and Rubio discussed the latest developments along the Cambodia–Thailand border and ways to secure a ceasefire and to continue with the implementation of an agreement to achieve lasting peace between Cambodia and Thailand.

“Secretary Rubio stated that the US wants to see a sustainable peace between Cambodian and Thailand and will work to help achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible,” he said.

“I also reiterated Cambodia’s firm commitment to upholding the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration and expressed hope that both sides will continue to work together, in line with all existing agreements,” he added.

Rubio spoke with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to express concern about the ongoing violence between Cambodia and Thailand.

A state department statement said Rubio reiterated President Trump’s desire for peace and the need to fully implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords.

“Secretary Rubio further reaffirmed that the US is prepared to facilitate discussions to ensure peace and stability between Cambodia and Thailand,” it added.

According to Manet, Cambodia continues to maintain its position of resolving border issues peacefully, in accordance with the principles and mechanisms previously agreed upon, in order to resolve the Cambodia–Thailand border issue and build lasting peace between the two countries.

-The Phnom Penh Post-