Military representatives from Thailand and Cambodia have begun talks at a border checkpoint in an attempt to halt a 16-day armed standoff. At least 86 people have already died in fierce clashes on the border. This is reported by Reuters, writes UNN.
Details
The meeting of the General Border Committee will last three days. Its goal is to restore the truce that was previously achieved with the mediation of Malaysia and the United States, but was subsequently broken.
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The meeting is the most significant step since the resumption of hostilities and comes after separate but unsuccessful attempts by Malaysia, China and the United States to bring both countries to the negotiating table.
Expectations from the meeting of defense ministers
Thai Ministry of Defense spokesman Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri said that the success of the current consultations could pave the way for a direct dialogue between the heads of defense departments. According to him, "if the secretariat meeting goes smoothly and leads to an agreement, then a meeting of the defense ministers of the two countries will take place on December 27."
Negotiation format
The dialogue began on Wednesday under the leadership of generals from both sides. Cambodian Ministry of Defense spokeswoman Mali Socheata confirmed the start of the process at 4:30 p.m. local time. The parties are trying to resolve the conflict in the southern section of the 817-kilometer common border, where the greatest tension is observed.
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