Prabowo encourages Thailand-Cambodia to reduce border conflicts

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto is said to have encouraged reconciliation between Thailand and Cambodia in a closed forum at the ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines.

Foreign Minister Sugiono said Prabowo reminded that almost all ASEAN countries actually have border issues.

However, according to Prabowo, the conflict should not continue to be sharpened if there is still room for cooperation that can benefit the people.

"Instead of sharpening the differences between us, why don't we look for positive things that we can work together on," said Sugiono, paraphrasing Prabowo's statement at the ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, Saturday, May 9.

Prabowo also gave an example of Indonesia's approach to resolving border issues through dialogue, negotiation, and cooperation.

The statement comes amid ASEAN's growing concern over Thai-Cambodian tensions triggered by old border issues.