AKP Phnom Penh, December 23, 2025 --

ASEAN foreign ministers have backed a peaceful resolution to the Cambodia-Thailand dispute and called for an immediate return to a ceasefire, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Prak Sokhonn said.

In an interview with the National Television of Cambodia (TVK) after the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 22, Prak Sokhonn said the ministers urged all sides to halt hostilities and to respect and implement the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration.

Cambodia remains committed to resolving the dispute through peaceful means, he said, calling for a return to the ceasefire agreed on July 28 and for full implementation of the Joint Declaration adopted on Oct. 26.

Malaysia had made three proposals urging a return to the ceasefire following renewed fighting on Dec. 7, while U.S. President Donald Trump also called for an end to hostilities, H.E. Prak Sokhonn said. Cambodia accepted all four proposals immediately, he said, but Thailand did not agree to them.

H.E. Prak Sokhonn said Cambodia told the meeting its priority was to end civilian suffering, prevent further destruction of property and infrastructure, and work toward lasting peace in the region.

He said Cambodia submitted three proposals to the meeting: an immediate ceasefire and end to fighting; the withdrawal of forces by both sides to positions held before the conflict and the safe return of civilians to border areas; and the resolution of the dispute exclusively through peaceful means in line with international law and existing agreements.

The Cambodian top diplomat also raised the detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers, calling on ASEAN to urge Thailand to release them, he said.

By K. Rithy Reak