The agreement aims to end the border conflict that escalated in July. As a result of five days of armed clashes, at least 48 people were killed and hundreds of thousands were forced to flee their homes.
Donald Trump: We did something people thought was impossible
Trump claims a key role in solving the crisis, arguing that the initial ceasefire was negotiated after he threatened to halt trade deals.
Thailand and Cambodia concluded an “unconditional” ceasefire on July 28 under the auspices of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Since then, both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the agreements.
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Which countries signed the agreement?
Where was the signing ceremony held?
What did Donald Trump say about his participation in the agreement?
How long has the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia been going on?
“It's exciting because we did something that a lot of people thought was impossible,” Trump said during the ceremony. In his typical style, he added that mediation is his passion. – I love doing this. (…) It's something I'm good at, he said.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet thanked Trump for his “decisive leadership” and “tireless efforts” for peace. In turn, his Thai counterpart announced specific actions to implement this agreement.
— The removal of weapons (from existing troop positions) and the release of prisoners of war will begin soon, Charnvirakul said, adding that the agreement would provide “the foundations for lasting peace” if fully implemented. He emphasized that observers from the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will ensure peace is maintained.
Peace agreement or “peace agreement”?
The BBC station draws attention to the different nomenclature of the adopted document. Thai representatives emphasized during press conferences that they were signing a “joint declaration on relations between Thailand and Cambodia” and did not call it a peace agreement. However, Trump's speech referred to the “Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement.” A similar inscription appeared on Sunday on a commemorative board visible at the meeting place of the leaders.
At the same ceremony, the U.S. signed a mutual trade agreement with Cambodia and a critical minerals agreement with Thailand.
Donald Trump visits Asia
The visit to Kuala Lumpur is the first stop on Trump's Asian tour, which will also include Japan and South Korea.
The conflict over the course of the over 800 km long border between Thailand and Cambodia, drawn in 1907, has been going on for over a century. Its source was an agreement concluded at the beginning of the 20th century between Siam (former name of Thailand) – then the only country in Southeast Asia that was not colonized – and colonial France. Border lines were then marked. In later years they were contested by Thailand.
During his visit to Asia, Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping. He also did not rule out a conversation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with whom he met three times during his first term.
