Synopsis: Delays in executing bilateral pacts trap tens of thousands awaiting secure repatriation, while Phnom Penh pursues peaceful resolution through formal diplomatic channels and international tribunals.
Prime Minister Hun Manet has called for Cambodia-Thailand border negotiations to be based on international law, official documents and technical evidence, saying delays in implementing existing agreements have prevented around 20,000 Cambodians from returning home safely and with dignity.
Addressing the 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia in Baku, Azerbaijan, Mr Hun Manet said the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand continued to hold, but territorial integrity and sovereignty issues remained unresolved.
“The core issue, territorial integrity and sovereignty under international law and existing agreements, remains unresolved,” he said.
He said Cambodia remained concerned about areas inside its territory occupied by Thai troops and stressed that border demarcation through the Joint Boundary Commission was essential to resolving the dispute peacefully.
Thailand’s repeated requests to postpone a special meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand JBC and the deployment of Joint Survey Teams (JSTs) had delayed progress on implementing the border agreements, according to the first report.
“Borders and sovereignty must never be altered by force or fait accompli,” Mr Hun Manet said.
In a separate message posted on his official Facebook page, the Prime Minister stressed that border negotiations were a major responsibility of the Royal Government to the nation and its people, requiring documentary evidence, legal foundations, technical information and patience to safeguard national sovereignty.
“Border negotiations between countries are a major responsibility of the Royal Government to the nation and its people. They require a clear basis in documentary evidence, law and technical matters, as well as meticulous work and a high degree of patience to protect our national sovereignty,” he said.
Mr Hun Manet cautioned against relying on unverified information or documents from unreliable sources, including television, social media, hearsay or personal intuition, stressing that border-related work must be grounded in clear legal and technical evidence.
He said the mechanisms used to resolve border disputes should depend on the circumstances and the nature of the issues involved, explaining that Cambodia was pursuing bilateral mechanisms to address land border issues with Thailand while using an international mechanism for maritime boundary disputes.
For land border issues, Cambodia is seeking progress through the JBC, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements, including the Kuala Lumpur Declaration and the Joint Statement.
For maritime boundary issues, Cambodia is pursuing compulsory conciliation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Mr Hun Manet wished the Cambodian delegation and legal team success at the second meeting of the UNCLOS Conciliation Commission involving Cambodia and Thailand, held last Wednesday till yesterday in The Hague, the Netherlands.
The delegation is led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn, who serves as CambodiaDespite the challenges, Mr Hun Manet reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to resolving outstanding issues with Thailand through dialogue, existing bilateral mechanisms and agreements, in accordance with international law and while safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“We believe that dialogue, de-escalation and faithful implementation of joint bilateral agreements, especially border demarcation through the JBC, and agreed confidence-building measures are crucial for creating conditions for a fair and lasting settlement of the dispute and peaceful coexistence,” he said.
