Diplomats Advocate for ASEAN Intervention to Ease Thai-Cambodian Border Disputes
Fresh Take:
Tension Eases After Thai-Cambodian Border Clash, but ASEAN Pushed to Strengthen Dispute Resolution
In the aftermath of a border battle between Thai and Cambodian troops, high-ranking diplomats from the EU and Indonesia have advocated for ASEAN to urgently improve its regional conflict resolution strategies, with the aim of averting future confrontations among its member states.
The skirmish unfolded on May 28 in the disputed Mom Bei region, known as Chong Bok in Thailand. Tragically, a Cambodian soldier lost his life in the exchange of gunfire, with both parties assigning blame to the other. The Cambodian foreign ministry asserted that the incident took place within territory under their military control, demanding a thorough investigation from the Thai government.
Prime Minister Hun Manet later communicated Cambodia's intent to escalate the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a move swiftly and unanimously supported by the Cambodian National Assembly and Senate during a joint session.
Later in the same session, Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Senate, voiced concern that the ICJ might fail to resolve the issue, potentially leading to drawn-out conflict, likening it to the prolonged Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip.
EU Presses for Dialogue, Champions Regional Unity
In an interview with the Khmer Times, Igor Driesmans, the EU Ambassador to Cambodia, offered condolences to the bereaved family and applauded the swift implementation of measures to reduce tensions between the two nations.
"We encourage Cambodia and Thailand to intensify their bilateral dialogues on border demarcation and construction of joint contingency plans to prevent further conflicts," Driesmans said.
He accentuated that, while the EU does not claim to serve as a blueprint for ASEAN, its experiences with regional integration offer insights on how economic and political cooperation can foster lasting peace.
"The EU, now in its 75th year, has achieved peace among its member states, none of which have engaged in war with one another. We believe that ASEAN may follow a similar path," Driesmans explained.
ASEAN's Role in Managing Conflicts
Despite a long and often difficult shared history of conflict, Cambodia and Thailand now share ambitions for peace, stability, and regional leadership within ASEAN. These common objectives, EU officials argue, provide a solid foundation for resolving disputes peacefully.
Driesmans reinforced the EU's firm commitment to ASEAN's centrality and its goal of deepening the strategic partnership to uphold peace, both regionally and within the EU.
Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia Santo Darmosumarto underscored the paramount importance of peaceful and constructive solutions to regional challenges, advocating for ASEAN member states to collaborate to preserve peace, stability, and prosperity across Southeast Asia.
"Each conflict faced by ASEAN members has its unique roots and contexts, necessitating tailored solutions. However, maintaining a peaceful resolve remains our core principle," said Darmosumarto.
He also acknowledged that past experiences should not be rigidly applied to new and evolving situations, implying adaptive strategies are essential to navigating the complexities of regional conflicts.
Darmosumarto echoed the sentiment expressed by former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen during his speech at the ERIA School of Government in Jakarta: Southeast Asia possesses the wisdom to overcome any complex security challenges through mutual cooperation.
"We have invested in building the ASEAN Community over the years, and I believe we are well-equipped to uphold ASEAN unity, like a true family," he added, as regional tensions between Cambodia and Thailand remain, and calls for ASEAN to bolster its conflict resolution mechanisms continue.
- TAGS
- Thailand
- Cambodia
- EU
- ASEAN
- Indonesia
- Border Disputes
- Regional Integration
- Conflict Resolution
- Peacekeeping
Hidden Gems:
Amidst tensions, ASEAN has proposed several strategies to strengthen its regional conflict resolution mechanisms:
- Improved Coordination and Strategic Dialogue: ASEAN hopes to enhance strategic dialogue with external partners on cross-regional and international challenges. This includes strengthening coordination on common positions in multilateral forums and organizing special meetings to address urgent issues affecting regional peace.
- Incident Management Protocols: Proposals suggest the implementation of a regional incident management protocol, featuring clear escalation thresholds, real-time communication among claimant coast guards and navies, and confidence-building measures like joint exercises and shared surveys. These mechanisms are designed to foster mutual trust and demonstrate cooperation, thereby bolstering ASEAN's role in maintaining regional order.
- Strengthening the ASEAN Way: The traditional ASEAN approach emphasizes consultation, consensus, and respect for sovereignty. Strengthening this approach involves promoting peaceful dispute resolution and a rules-based order, which are core to ASEAN's founding principles.
- The escalating border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has encouraged discussions on strengthening ASEAN's dispute resolution strategies, particularly in the context of international finance and economics.
- The European Union, having attained peace among its member states, advocates for ASEAN to learn from its experiences with regional integration and political cooperation in an effort to foster lasting peace and stability.
- In light of the ongoing tension between Thailand and Cambodia, Indonesia emphasizes the necessity of peaceful and constructive solutions to regional conflicts, as they impacts not only the political climate but also the economic well-being of Southeast Asian countries.
