WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to hold immediate ceasefire talks following two days of armed conflict along their shared border.
Trump said he spoke separately with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
He stated that both leaders agreed to begin negotiations aimed at stopping hostilities. Trump added that no U.S. trade agreements with either country would move forward unless fighting stopped.
The Cambodian government confirmed that it had accepted an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire and directed its foreign minister to work with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to arrange talks.
Thailand said it agrees in principle to the talks but wants to see “sincere intentions” and specific actions from Cambodia before proceeding.
Despite the announcement, fighting continued on Saturday night in areas near the border, including Thailand’s Trat province and Cambodia’s Pursat province.
At least 33 people have died in the clashes, and estimates suggest between 130,000 and 210,000 people have been displaced.
International bodies, including ASEAN and the United Nations, have called for a ceasefire. Malaysia, this year’s ASEAN chair, has offered to mediate.
No official date or location for the talks has been announced.
