Hun Manet briefs Anwar on Cambodia-Thailand border dispute
PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has briefed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on ongoing border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand during a phone conversation.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Manet stated that he explained the Kingdom's position on the dispute to Anwar.
"Cambodia adheres to the principle of maintaining peace, friendship, and good cooperation with Thailand. Cambodia's decision to refer Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Tauch Temple, Ta Krabei Temple, and Mom Bei areas to the International Court of Justice is to seek an early, peaceful, and permanent solution to the border issue in these areas rather than to prolong the uncertainty which can lead to renewed armed conflicts," said Manet.
The dispute escalated after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash with Thai troops in Preah Vihear province on May 28.
Manet added that Cambodia continues to work with Thailand to accelerate border demarcation and delimitation, excluding the four disputed areas, through the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC). The next JBC meeting is scheduled for June 14 in Phnom Penh.
"Cambodia continues to maintain relations between the two countries through all existing mechanisms for the mutual benefit of the two peoples," he told Anwar, who chairs Asean this year.
Manet also congratulated Anwar on Malaysia's successful hosting of the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur last month.– BERNAMA
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