Phnom Penh: The Royal Government of Cambodia and the Royal Thai Government have agreed to assign their respective foreign ministers to work closely together in order to restore and strengthen bilateral relations in the spirit of friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect.

Speaking at a joint press conference held in Cebu City, the Philippines, on May 7, 2026, during the 48th ASEAN Summit and facilitated by Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., both sides expressed their political will to continue dialogue and promote improved bilateral cooperation.

During the press conference, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet stated: “Today, Prime Minister Anutin and I have just concluded our discussions with a shared commitment to achieving lasting peace. Our discussions focused on de-escalation and confidence-building measures aimed at restoring and strengthening the framework for lasting peace and the normalization of relations.”

Prime Minister Hun Manet noted that both sides discussed the resumption of all existing mechanisms, including the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), the General Border Committee (GBC), and the Regional Border Committee (RBC), as Thailand’s new government has now become fully operational.

The Cambodian Prime Minister also reaffirmed Cambodia’s position, stating: “Cambodia calls for the full and immediate implementation of the Joint Statement of December 27, particularly Point 3, which calls for the continuation of border survey and demarcation work by the JBC in accordance with existing agreements without delay.”

He added that Cambodia believes this mechanism is essential to preventing the creation of faits accomplis on the ground and ensuring that sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international borders are respected in accordance with international law, as well as existing treaties and agreements, thereby fostering trust and lasting peace between the two countries.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed Cambodia’s firm commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes based on international law and existing agreements, including the commitments outlined in the Kuala Lumpur Joint Statement of October 26, 2025, and the Joint Statement of December 27, 2025. Cambodia, he stressed, stands ready to move forward in a constructive, swift, and genuinely good-faith manner.

Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated during the press conference: “In this spirit, Prime Minister Hun Manet and I have agreed to task our foreign ministers with working closely together on a list of practical confidence-building measures, beginning with issues where we share common ground and can take immediate action.”

Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that these measures would serve as key steps toward restoring trust and gradually rebuilding bilateral relations. He further stated: “Thailand and Cambodia must move forward together, one step at a time, in the same direction. As we move ahead, we should increase direct communication at all levels and seek ways to bridge gaps and expand cooperation.”

Regarding land and maritime border issues, Prime Minister Anutin said that both sides discussed constructive approaches to resolving these matters in the spirit of good neighborliness. “Today, we have taken a major step forward, and I am confident that with determination, commitment, and sincerity from both sides, we can advance the pursuit of peace for our two countries and for the entire region,” he said.

At the same time, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. highly appreciated the trust placed by Cambodia and Thailand in the facilitation process. He stated that the discussions covered a wide range of issues, with agreements reached on several points and strategies discussed for moving forward.

President Marcos Jr. added that both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining open communication, refraining from violence, avoiding actions that could escalate tensions, and continuing efforts toward peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement.

He further noted that Cambodia and Thailand had reaffirmed their commitment to peace and constructive dialogue in addressing border-related issues. Prime Minister Hun Manet and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also pledged to maintain open communication, restraint, and peaceful engagement, while the mandate of the ASEAN observer team has been extended until July 2026, with the Philippines serving as facilitator.