Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia]
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday lauded US President Donald Trump’s pivotal role in brokering the landmark peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, signed on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
During the signing ceremony of the “KL Peace Accord,” Anwar commended Trump for personally intervening to facilitate dialogue between the two Southeast Asian nations. “You personally called both prime ministers to urge for a speedy peace settlement… the world needs leaders who promote peace strongly,” Anwar said, expressing gratitude for Trump’s direct involvement.
The peace accord, co-signed by Trump, aims to formally end hostilities and lay the groundwork for long-term stability after a five-day border conflict in July that left dozens dead. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet inked the deal, witnessed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan.
Calling it “a momentous day for Southeast Asia,” Trump said the United States was proud to support efforts to prevent further bloodshed. “Earlier this year, an armed clash broke out along the border of these two countries… because of America’s strong commitment to peace, my administration immediately began working to stop the conflict from escalating,” he said.
Trump also praised Anwar for his key mediating role, saying, “The Prime Minister played a very important role in bringing both sides together here in Kuala Lumpur.”
Alongside the peace accord, Trump announced two additional agreements — a major trade deal with Cambodia and a critical minerals pact with Thailand, emphasizing that the accords would promote prosperity and regional security.
The KL Peace Accord formalizes a ceasefire understanding reached in July and establishes an ASEAN Observer Team to ensure compliance and prevent future clashes.
Thailand and Cambodia have long been at odds over sections of their 817-kilometre border, particularly around the ancient Hindu temples of Preah Vihear and Prasat Ta Muen Thom in the Dangrek Mountains — areas that have sparked deadly confrontations, including one in 2011 that drew UN attention.
