Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow acknowledges the proposed Thailand-Cambodia Relations Declaration, aimed at restoring peace and strengthening bilateral ties, remains vague.
Speaking in an interview released by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, following four-party consultations in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, Mr Sihasak said that while Thailand and Cambodia had agreed in principle on key issues, many details still need to be discussed. They would be raised at the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on Monday.
The declaration, discussed during meetings involving Cambodia, Malaysia, the United States, and Thailand, outlines cooperation in four main areas that Thailand has proposed to Cambodia: troop withdrawal, joint demining, tackling transnational crimes, and peaceful resolution of territorial disputes.
Mr Sihasak said the current draft remained ‘at the principle level’ and lacked specific implementation measures.
Malaysia and the United States hoped the declaration could be signed during the Asean Summit from Oct 26 to 28 in Kuala Lumpur, which President Trump is expected to attend.
Yet Thailand insisted that a detailed working plan must be developed before any signing takes place, he said.
Mr Sihasak also disclosed that Cambodia wanted Thailand to release 18 Cambodians captured during the conflict. Thailand, however, insisted that Cambodia make progress on the four key areas first.
‘We want to build trust with Cambodia, but actions must follow the framework,’ he said.
The GBC meeting would focus on ensuring both sides adhere to the agreement in practice. ‘If we lack these details, the declaration will remain just words on paper,’ he cautioned.