By Vijian Paramasivam
PHNOM PENH, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Cambodia reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting peace and regional stability.
Both sides noted that discussions are progressing to finalise the ASEAN Operations Team (AOT) at the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summit to be held in Kuala Lumpur, with defence attaches already working on the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to establish the mechanism.
Visiting Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that Malaysia will continue to coordinate efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Cambodia–Thailand border conflict.
“The important role as ASEAN chair is to facilitate the ceasefire arrangement between Cambodia and Thailand, and the presence of the AOT will ensure the ceasefire agreement is being implemented as agreed by both conflicting countries”, he said.
Cambodia is looking forward to the forthcoming ASEAN Summit to resolve the ongoing border dispute with Thailand, which has been lingering since the ceasefire on July 28.
Malaysia will host the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits from Oct 26 to 28.
Both leaders agreed that the ongoing conflict has impacted the lives of people along the border, hindering regional integration and connectivity.
Currently, the Interim Observer Team, headed by Malaysia, is monitoring the progress of the ceasefire along the border areas.
Earlier Tuesday, Ahmad Zahid made a courtesy call to Senate President Hun Sen, also the former Prime Minister of Cambodia.
Ahmad Zahid is visiting Cambodia from October 13 to 15 and will be participating in the 47th ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management Conference.
Among others, both leaders also discussed a range of topics from Malaysia’s continuous support to Cambodia on Technical and Vocational Education and Training, ways to enhance tourism, investments and the agriculture sector.
Bilateral trade between both nations touched RM3.2 billion (US$750 million) from January to August this year – a 45 per cent jump compared to the same period last year.
Both governments are optimistic that they will breach the RM4.2 billion (US$1 billion) trade volume by next year.
-- BERNAMA
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