Kuala Lumpur, October 28 (AseanAll) — The leaders of Cambodia and Thailand are committed to respecting and upholding the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration, which provides a framework for both countries to work toward peace, cooperation, and prosperity.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and his Thai counterpart, Anutin Charnvirakul, reaffirmed their steadfast commitment during their bilateral meeting on October 28, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
On the occasion, both leaders discussed the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration, which was signed on October 26, 2025 and witnessed by Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, and Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Hun Manet underscored that this signing represents further progress since the agreement on the ceasefire, which has thus far helped maintain calm and stability along the border. He stated that the immediate task for both sides is to work closely together to ensure the full and faithful implementation of the Joint Declaration.
The Cambodian Premier further stressed that the implementation of the actions stipulated in the Joint Declaration is a shared responsibility and obligation of both sides. Through bilateral mechanisms, both countries have already discussed and reached agreements on the ways forward; it is therefore important that they firmly implement these agreements with sincerity and in good faith for their mutual benefit.
As permanent neighbours, Hun Manet reiterated that both countries must continue to work hand in hand to ensure that their peoples can live side by side in peace, harmony, and shared prosperity for generations to come.
Taking this opportunity, Hun Manet renewed his call for the prompt release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers on humanitarian grounds and as agreed in the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration.
Besides, Hun Manet conveyed his deepest condolences to the Thai Prime Minister on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother.
In response, Thai Prime Minister Anutin expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister of Cambodia for his letter of condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother of Thailand.
The Thai Prime Minister reaffirmed that the signing of the Joint Declaration on 26 October 2025 has laid a foundation for both countries to move forward. However, what is most important is the implementation of what has been agreed, and the sincere and genuine commitment to do so.
Therefore, the discussion which just took place today focused on the need for the two countries to work together to translate the agreements made into concrete actions.
The Thai Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the implementation of the four key issues agreed upon to reduce tensions along the border, namely: (1) the withdrawal of heavy weapons from border areas to their normal installations; (2) humanitarian demining; (3) combating transnational crime, particularly online scams; and (4) the management of border areas.
The process of withdrawing heavy weapons has already begun, however, Thailand wishes to see this process continue in order to ensure the safety of people living along the border. Thailand also wishes to strengthen coordination to effectively implement other related matters, particularly in combating transnational crime, conducting mine clearance operations in the field, and on the agreed measures for border area management.
The Thai Prime Ministers of both countries also discussed ways to enhance diplomatic communication, including through the Ministers of Foreign Affairs on a regular basis as appropriate.
The two to three days following the signing of the Joint Declaration are of particular importance for Thailand, the Thai people and the media who are closely monitoring the progress of its implementation. It is therefore the shared responsibility of both sides to demonstrate concrete actions in fulfilling the commitments made with sincerity and in good faith, in order to ensure the safety and security for the peoples of both nations.
