Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane attends the ASEAN meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Laos joins ASEAN meeting on Cambodia-Thailand conflict

Laos participated in a Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on December 22 to discuss the current situation between Cambodia and Thailand, reaffirming ASEAN’s commitment to peace, dialogue and regional stability.
The meeting was attended by Laos’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane, who led the Lao delegation, alongside other ASEAN foreign ministers, representatives, and the ASEAN Secretary-General.
The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia in that country’s capacity as the 2025 ASEAN Chair.
Participants heard a report on the performance of the ASEAN Monitoring Group, which was established in October 2025. The meeting also heard briefings on the border situation from Cambodia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and from Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
ASEAN foreign ministers expressed concern over the current situation and urged both sides to resolve the issue peacefully in accordance with the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The meeting reiterated ASEAN’s commitment to unity, solidarity and centrality in ensuring peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region.
Mr Thongsavanh reaffirmed Laos’ foreign policy of strengthening cooperative relations with all countries, including Cambodia and Thailand. He called on both sides to exercise restraint, refrain from the use of force, and uphold goodwill and friendship as ASEAN member states.
He further encouraged the two countries to comply with the peace agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur on October 26 and to make full use of existing mechanisms to achieve a peaceful resolution of the border conflict.
Following the meeting, a Chairman’s Statement was issued, noting ASEAN’s ongoing efforts to address the situation. The statement welcomed consultations between Cambodia and Thailand aimed at achieving a ceasefire and expressed hope that tensions would soon be eased. It also noted that the Border Committees of the two countries are expected to convene soon to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Laos, Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane, held bilateral meetings with ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the ASEAN Secretary-General to further enhance cooperation and exchange views on issues of common interest.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update December 24, 2025)