AKP Phnom Penh, August 08, 2025 -- 

Like other friendly countries, Japan and Australia have also praised the outcome of the Extraordinary Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) between Cambodia and Thailand held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Aug. 7. 

“Japan welcomes that Cambodia and Thailand, at a recent meeting in Malaysia, have reached an agreement on a mechanism for implementing the ceasefire, including cessation of all attacks. Japan also highly commends diplomatic efforts of all parties involved in achieving this agreement,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan stated in a press release today. 

The Ministry added that Japan considers that a sound relationship between Cambodia and Thailand is extremely important for stability and development in the region. In this regard, Japan has been working to encourage both Cambodia and Thailand to de-escalate the situation.

The Government of Japan will continue to make efforts to promote steady implementation of the ceasefire agreement and de-escalation of the situation, in coordination with relevant countries, it added.

For its part, Australia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the commitment made at the Extraordinary GBC Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 7 to fully and effectively implement the ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand, including the establishment of an ASEAN-led observer mechanism.

The meeting is “an important step towards de-escalating tensions and supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous region,” according to a statement released on Friday by Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia. 

“Australia commends ASEAN’s efforts, and the leadership of Malaysia as ASEAN Chair, to facilitate the ceasefire,” she said. “We strongly support ASEAN’s leadership including the Special Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia on 28 July 2025 and the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statements of 27 and 31 July 2025.”

Australia urged both Cambodia and Thailand to honor the ceasefire, uphold their obligations under international law, exercise maximum restraint, and continue to resolve the dispute through peaceful means consistent with the UN Charter, ASEAN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, she added. 

“We commend the GBC Meeting as a practical representation of ASEAN’s role in reducing the risks of misunderstanding and miscalculation, managing crises, and preventing disputes from escalating into conflict,” the Australian Foreign Minister added. 

At the same time, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) welcomed the recent ceasefire announced by Thailand and Cambodia, and reiterates its readiness to conduct further detainee visits.

The ceasefire offers some respite to those affected by the hostilities, which saw families flee their homes, lose loved ones, and access to necessities, it underlined. 

“We are ready to support both nations to carry out similar future detainee visits and act as a neutral intermediary in any planned releases,” it said. 

The ICRC also expressed readiness to scale up its support as needed and urged continued respect for International humanitarian law, which includes access to persons detained in relation to the conflict. 

H.E. Gen. Tea Seiha​ (L), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Cambodia, shakes hands with H.E. Gen. Nattaphon Nakphanit, Acting Minister of Defence of Thailand, after signing the Agreed Minutes of the Extraordinary GBC Meeting.

By C. Nika