Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to hold initial talks on a ceasefire after three days of deadly cross-border clashes, according to statements released Saturday by both governments and US President Donald Trump.
Trump said earlier in the weekend that he had spoken with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's interim Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai in a bid to restore calm. He also expressed hopes for concluding trade agreements with both countries "once peace is within reach."
"Both sides are seeking an immediate ceasefire and peace. They also want to return to the 'trade table' with the United States, which we believe should only happen once the fighting stops," Trump wrote.
"They agreed to meet immediately and to work swiftly toward a ceasefire and ultimately, peace!"
In the early hours of Sunday, local time, Hun Manet thanked Trump and said Cambodia accepted "the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces." He noted he had previously called for a ceasefire in appeals to the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Thailand's Foreign Ministry released a more measured statement, saying Phumtham Wechayachai wanted to see "a sincere intention from Cambodia," but had also "asked President Trump to convey that Thailand seeks to convene bilateral dialogue as soon as possible to outline steps and procedures for a ceasefire and ultimately a peaceful resolution to the conflict."
