Historic Ceasefire: Cambodia and Thailand Unite with Trump's Mediation

Share this @internewscast.com

US President Donald Trump co-signed a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia in Malaysia, the first stop on his Asia tour which will culminate in talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The deal was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet together with Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, following a bloody border dispute this year.

Both sides blame each other for starting the five-day exchange of rockets and heavy artillery, which killed at least 48 people and temporarily displaced an estimated 300,000 in their worst fighting in recent history.

Despite the sustained silence of firearms along the border, allegations of ceasefire breaches have been a persistent issue between the two nations. The recent agreement aims to address these concerns and uphold peace.

Speaking at the signing, Trump called it a “monumental step” and congratulated both Anutin and Hun for the move.

However, experts note that a final, all-encompassing peace agreement between these two Southeast Asian neighbors remains elusive. The journey towards a comprehensive resolution continues.

In a move towards greater cooperation, both countries have committed to working together on the removal of landmines. This issue came to the forefront following an incident where a Thai soldier was injured during a routine border patrol. Thailand has accused Cambodia, which is one of the most heavily mined nations globally, of deploying new landmines. Cambodia, on the other hand, denies these accusations.

The two countries, in a joint declaration, committed to establishing an ASEAN observer team, military de-escalation and removal of heavy weapons from their border area, with Thailand agreeing to release 18 Cambodian prisoners of war if the measures were implemented.

Taking a step back in history, East Timor was under Portuguese rule for over 400 years before it was invaded by Indonesia in 1975. This colonial past and subsequent challenges have shaped its current geopolitical stance.

“This declaration reflects our will to resolve differences peacefully in full respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Charnvirakul said.

Manet said it showed conflicts must be settled peacefully, “no matter how difficult or complex our dispute may be”.

In a significant diplomatic development, East Timor’s Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao, was warmly received as a new member of the ASEAN community during a ceremony in Malaysia. The event marked a new chapter for the nation on the regional stage.

Meanwhile, Asia’s youngest nation East Timor became the 11th member of the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN at its summit in Malaysia.

The integration of the region’s youngest and poorest nation — with just 1.4 million people — is being hailed as a symbolic step for regional inclusivity.

After the flag of East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste, was added to the other 10 on the stage at a formal ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao told the other leaders that “today, history is made”.

“For the people of Timor-Leste this is not only a dream realised but a powerful affirmation of our journey,” he said.

East Timor was a Portuguese colony for over four centuries before Indonesia’s 1975 invasion.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, right, greets East Timor's Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao

East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao (left) was welcomed into the ASEAN group in Malaysia. Source: AP / Vincent Thian

ASEAN membership gives East Timor access to the bloc’s free trade deals, investment opportunities and a broader regional market — vital for diversifying an economy long reliant on oil and gas.

It struggles with high levels of unemployment and malnutrition, and 42 per cent of the population lives below the national poverty line.

Nearly two-thirds of the country’s citizens are under 30 years old, making youth job creation a high priority.

Its major source of government revenues comes from the oil and gas industry but with resources quickly becoming depleted it is looking to diversify.

“For us this new beginning brings immense opportunity in trade, investment, education and the digital economy – we are ready to learn, innovate and uphold good government,” Gusmao said.

“This is not the end of a journey, this is a beginning of an inspiring new chapter. “