ASEAN nations voice support of Thai-Cambodia peace. Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Chair and Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa asked that Cambodia and Thailand find a way to quickly settle a border conflict that has cost the lives of seven people in the last four days, as he extended ASEAN’s support for their bilateral efforts. ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan also encouraged both countries to allow fellow ASEAN member states to facilitate the settling of their border dispute, while Âu Lạc’s (Vietnam) Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nguyễn Phương Nga voiced her country’s request for a peacefully negotiated resolution based on ASEAN solidarity and friendship as well as international law and the UN Charter. Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan welcomed the encouragement, saying, “Cambodia wants peace, nothing else, so let negotiations solve this dispute.” Upon receiving an official letter from the Thai Ministry of Defense, Cambodian officials immediately freed a Thai soldier, with the Thai government conveying its thanks to Cambodia for the quick response.
We thank all the supportive ASEAN member states and involved diplomats for your benevolent diplomatic efforts. May amicable neighborly relations be soon restored for peace to prevail among all Cambodian and Thai citizens.
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