Cambodia, Thailand agree to joint energy development in overlapping area

Deputy Prime minister Sok An meets with Pichai Naripthaphan, Energy Minister of Thailand to discuss joint oil exploration and development.

By: Serath

PHNOM PENH, December 29, 2011 (CEN) - Cambodia and Thailand agreed Thursday to joint energy and petroleum exploration and development in an overlapping area in the Gulf of Thailand. But Cambodia said it could take place only after the two sides solve border issues.

The agreement came during a closed-door meeting between visiting Thai Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan and Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who is also minister in charge of the Council of Ministers and chairman of the Cambodia National Petroleum Authority.

"It was the first time for Cambodia and Thailand to talk about petroleum issues since the Abhisit government," Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan, referring to previous prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva who lost Thailand's national elections to Yingluck Shinawatra in July.

"Thailand shows respect and cooperation with Cambodia," the spokesman said. "The Thai energy minister said that Yingluck’s government is different from Abhisit’s government. The main target of the current Thai government is to build good relationships and cooperation."

Phay Siphan noted that both countries needed the energy resources. "Sok An said that if there is no obstacle, we can get the petroleum in one and a half to three years," he said, adding that the main points in Thursday's meeting were to define the border and overlapping claims area, which is thought to extend to at least 27,000 square km.