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THE Philippines has indicated it is prepared to take on a mediating role between Cambodia and Thailand over their border situation when it becomes ASEAN Chair in January 2026, according to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
The announcement followed a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers held in Kuala Lumpur on Monday at the invitation of Malaysia, the current ASEAN Chair, to discuss developments along the Cambodia–Thailand border.
The Philippines was represented at the meeting by Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa P. Lazaro.
“Following today’s discussion, the Philippines expressed its readiness to assume the role of facilitator or mediator between Cambodia and Thailand should both parties decide to avail themselves of the good offices of the Chair after the Philippines assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in January 2026,” the department said in a statement.
The Special Meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers was convened after an agreement reached on 11 December between Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to address the issue through ASEAN mechanisms.
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan chaired the meeting.
Among those present were Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Prak Sokhonn, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
Other foreign ministers attending the meeting included Sugiono of Indonesia, Thongsavanh Phomvihane of Laos, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan of Singapore and Bendito dos Santos Freitas of Timor-Leste.
Brunei was represented by Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato Seri Setia Erywan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Mohd Yusof, while Vietnam sent Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang. Myanmar participated in the meeting virtually.
The discussions underscored ASEAN’s continued emphasis on dialogue and regional mechanisms in addressing sensitive cross-border issues among member states. - December 23, 2025