Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya (L) and Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong hold a news conference after their meeting at the ministry of foreign affairs in Phnom Penh January 26, 2009. Kasit Piromya was in Cambodia to discuss the disputed land around the Preah Vihear temple.
REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)By The Nation
26th January, 2009
Phnom Penh—Thailand and Cambodia this morning have "substantive" bilateral talks covering issues related to Thai-Cambodian border issues, trade and tourism cooperation.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya told a press conference that both sides agreed to settle their mutual problems with peaceful means and in brotherly ways. "We have political will and commonalities to move forward for the well beings of both peoples," Kasit said.
In the same press conference, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said that Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan will make an official visit to Cambodian early next month to discuss the border situation, which has been calm followed weeks of tensions in November 2008. Top on the agenda will be troop adjustments along the Thai-Cambodian border.
A new round of discussion by Joint Border Commission to discuss the overlapping areas has been also scheduled for early next month. There are a total of 73 demarcation posts along the Thai-Cambodian border, only 48 posts have been located.
Both countries also decided to resume negotiations on the maritime demarcation line covering 20,600 square meters which are rich in natural gas and oil. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two countries in 2000 to discuss the overlapping maritime zones. But several subsequent negotiations have stalled.
The resumption of maritime overlapping areas has been welcome by both sides. As part of the upcoming negotiations, Thailand awaits a Cabinet approval on the key person who will be in charge of maritime negotiations.
Both leaders also discussed ways to boost tourism in their countries. They agreed that foreign visitors with a visa to visit a member of Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy would be able to visit other members.
Kasit pledged to follow up on Thailand's agreement to return the Cambodian ancient artifacts as soon as possible. At the moment, Ministry of Cultural Affairs is processing the return.
Before the plenary session, which last one hour, Kasit and Namhong had a 45 minutes four eyes meeting, 35 minutes longer than scheduled.
During Kasit's courtesy call on Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim, president of the Senate, both leaders agreed to exchange parliamentarian delegations as well as the cooperation between Democrat Party and Cambodian People's Party.
Kasit is having an audience with Cambodian King Norodom Sihanoumi this afternoon followed by a lunch hosted by Namhong in his honour.
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