BALI, Indonesia, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) supports Cambodia and Thailand to solve their border issues by peaceful means, according to a statement issued here Saturday at the conclusion of the 18th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) foreign ministers'meeting.
On July 18, the ICJ ordered Cambodia and Thailand to immediately withdraw their military personnel currently present in the provisional demilitarized zone around the area of the Preah Vihear temple.
The statement said both the two parties have expressed their respect of the order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and their intention of carrying out the order in accordance with international laws and their domestic laws.
According to the statement, the ARF foreign ministers' meeting recognizes the importance of the order and calls on the two parties to continue their cooperation within the framework of ASEAN.
In particular, the two sides should allow the observers appointed by the ASEAN to have access to the provisional demilitarized zone, said the statement.
The meeting also agreed to support Indonesia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, to carry out consultation with the two countries on peaceful settlement of their dispute.
In 1962, the ICJ ruled that the Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia. On July 7, 2008, the temple was enlisted as a World Heritage Site.
A border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand occurred just a week after the enlistment as Thailand claims the ownership of 4.6 square kilometers of scrub next to the temple. Since then, both sides have built up military forces along the border and periodic clashes have happened, resulting in the deaths of troops and civilians on both sides.
Cambodia, on April 28, submitted a petition for interpretation of the ICJ's 1962 judgment along with a request for the indication of provisional measures.
On July 18, the ICJ ordered Cambodia and Thailand to immediately withdraw their military personnel currently present in the provisional demilitarized zone around the area of the Preah Vihear temple.
The statement said both the two parties have expressed their respect of the order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and their intention of carrying out the order in accordance with international laws and their domestic laws.
According to the statement, the ARF foreign ministers' meeting recognizes the importance of the order and calls on the two parties to continue their cooperation within the framework of ASEAN.
In particular, the two sides should allow the observers appointed by the ASEAN to have access to the provisional demilitarized zone, said the statement.
The meeting also agreed to support Indonesia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, to carry out consultation with the two countries on peaceful settlement of their dispute.
In 1962, the ICJ ruled that the Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia. On July 7, 2008, the temple was enlisted as a World Heritage Site.
A border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand occurred just a week after the enlistment as Thailand claims the ownership of 4.6 square kilometers of scrub next to the temple. Since then, both sides have built up military forces along the border and periodic clashes have happened, resulting in the deaths of troops and civilians on both sides.
Cambodia, on April 28, submitted a petition for interpretation of the ICJ's 1962 judgment along with a request for the indication of provisional measures.
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