In a significant diplomatic engagement, the Philippines hosted trilateral talks involving Thailand’s Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The meeting took place at the Shangri-La Mactan hotel in Cebu at 6pm local time and was aimed at addressing the ongoing issues between Thailand and Cambodia.
As the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines initiated this gathering, according to Rachada Dhanadirek, spokesperson for the Thai Prime Minister’s Office. The discussions were a platform for the leaders to engage in a constructive dialogue, focusing on strengthening relationships and ensuring regional stability.
Following the talks, the leaders convened a joint press conference. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr opened the session in his role as ASEAN chair, followed by statements from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Prime Minister Anutin expressed his gratitude to President Marcos for organizing the crucial meeting and described the discussions with Cambodia as both constructive and forward-looking.
The Thai prime minister emphasized the shared necessity for dialogue and peace preservation, highlighting the close ties and multiple shared dimensions between Thailand and Cambodia. He underscored the detrimental impacts of conflicts, asserting that they result in losses and hardships for all parties involved. Therefore, he proposed that both nations should collaborate to open a new chapter in their relationship, built on sincerity, good faith, and a mutual commitment to overcoming existing challenges.
Overall, the meeting served as an important step towards reaffirming the commitment of both Thailand and Cambodia to maintaining dialogue and promoting peace in the region. The initiative reflects a collective effort to move forward positively, with the ASEAN chair facilitating a platform for meaningful and candid discussions.