The two countries agreed to hold talks using their General Border Committee, an established bilateral mechanism, as border fighting entered a third week.

Security volunteers patrol an area as they remain in the evacuation zone to protect villagers` homes and livestock during the conflict in the Thai province of Buriram, ten kilometres away from the border with Cambodia, on Dec. 13.Lillian Suwanrumpha / AFP via Getty Images

Thailand and Cambodia agreed Monday to hold a December 24 meeting of defense officials towards resuming a months-old ceasefire, as fierce border fighting between them entered a third week with at least 80 people killed so far.

The decision was taken on Monday during a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur of Southeast Asian foreign ministers, who were trying to salvage a truce first brokered by ASEAN chair Malaysia and President Donald Trump after a previous round of deadly clashes in July.

Thailand and Cambodia have engaged in daily exchanges of rockets and artillery along their 817-km (508-mile) land border following the collapse of the truce, with fighting at multiple points stretching from forested regions near Laos to the coastal provinces of the Gulf of Thailand.

The top diplomats of the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations urged both countries to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps to halt fighting, while welcoming the planned meeting on Wednesday of the General Border Committee, a long-established mechanism for bilateral talks.

"The ASEAN foreign ministers expressed hope for de-escalation of hostilities as soon as possible," said a statement from ASEAN chair Malaysia, adding discussions would include ceasefire implementation and verification.

Thousands of Cambodian nationals return to Cambodia via the Ban Khlong Luek border crossing in Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province, on Dec. 11.Arnun Chonmahatrakool / Thai News Pix/LightRocket via Getty Images

The decision to hold talks is the most significant step since fighting reerupted, with neither Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim nor Trump able to bring the two countries to the table this time after various calls to their leaders.

Five days into the conflict, Trump said the premiers of Thailand and Cambodia had both agreed to "cease all shooting," but the clashes continued the following day, with Bangkok launching more air strikes and vowing to keep on fighting.

China has also pressed both sides to step back, with its special envoy for Asian affairs Deng Xijun holding talks in Bangkok and Phnom Penh in recent days.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said his country wanted a "true ceasefire" with a detailed implementation plan and firm commitment from Cambodia.

He said neither the U.S. nor China had been involved in the decision on bilateral talks, adding it was about Thailand and Cambodia "working things out".

"A ceasefire cannot just be declared, it needs a discussion," Sihasak told a briefing in Kuala Lumpur.

"The Cambodians want a ceasefire, let`s have a discussion on a ceasefire. We proposed that our two militaries should meet as soon as possible."

The location of the meeting was not immediately clear, but Sihasak said Thailand proposed the border line in the Thai province of Chanthaburi. Cambodia`s defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Bangkok and Phnom Penh each accuse the other of aggression and violations of an enhanced ceasefire agreed in October in Malaysia in Trump`s presence, during which they committed to demining and withdrawing troops and heavy weapons from areas over which sovereignty has been contested bitterly for decades.

Thailand has vented its fury over what it says are landmines being newly laid by Cambodia, among the world`s most landmine-plagued countries. Phnom Penh rejects the accusation.

Cambodia`s defense ministry said Thailand had violated its sovereignty on Monday with more "armed aggression" and vowed to defend what it said was its territory "at any cost."

An injured Thai soldier being evacuated following clashes along the the Thai-Cambodia border in Thailand`s Sisaket province on Dec. 7.HANDOUT / AFP - Getty Images

Thailand`s army said Cambodia had carried out intermittent artillery attacks and used drones to drop bombs, adding Thai forces had responded with air strikes and artillery on military positions.

Monday`s ASEAN gathering was the first face-to-face meeting involving the two governments since the fighting resumed on December 8, in rare conflict between member states that has tested the bloc`s resolve.

In opening the meeting, Malaysia`s foreign minister urged the bloc to play a more forceful role.

"Our goal goes beyond de-escalating the tension. We must intensify trust-building among the conflicting parties and provide the horizons for dialogue despite the prevailing differences," Mohamad Hasan said.