Ceasefire Holds Steady Along Cambodia-Thailand Border

Phnom penh: The general situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border remains calm following the recent signing of a ceasefire agreement. This development was confirmed by H.E. Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of National Defence, during a morning press briefing. According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the ceasefire agreement was reached during the 3rd Special Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting. The meeting, held at the Prom-Pak Kard Permanent Border Checkpoint, saw the participation of H.E. Gen. Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Cambodia, and H.E. Gen. Nattaphon Narkphanit, Minister of Defence of Thailand, under the observation of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT). The Joint Statement stipulates that the ceasefire applies to all weapon types, prohibiting attacks on civilians and infrastructure. Both sides must avoid unprovoked firing or troop movements towards each other's positions. Additionally, the agreement emphasizes maintaining curr ent troop deployments without further movements, ensuring no escalation of tensions. Furthermore, both countries have agreed to resume border demarcation efforts through the Joint Boundary Commission, prioritizing areas with civilian populations. This includes ensuring the safety of survey teams from landmines and allowing civilians to return safely to their homes. The agreement also prohibits provocative actions, such as entering each other's air space or constructing military infrastructure. Both sides are committed to refraining from disseminating false information to maintain peace and fulfill obligations under international conventions, including the Ottawa Convention. In a collaborative effort, both nations will work through the Joint Coordinating Task Force (JCTF) on Humanitarian Demining and adhere to the Action Plan for Cooperation on preventing and suppressing transnational crimes. This plan aims to enhance cooperation, tackle online scams, and promote responsible information dissemination to bui ld trust and stability in the region.