Bangkok: Cambodian Prime Minister Sihasak Sihasak has confirmed that Cambodia has decisively closed the door on negotiations following Thailand's involvement in the UNCross agreement. This development comes as Thailand reiterates its commitment to pursuing bilateral talks concerning maritime and land borders while clarifying that the formation of the Joint Border Committee (JBC) is strictly an internal matter and does not indicate an intention to open negotiations. The Thai government has stated its intent to wait until provocations on the border cease before considering further actions.
According to Thai News Agency, on July 21st, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkaew, shared insights from his participation in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Summit. He highlighted that the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border was a key topic of discussion. Thailand remains committed to the outcomes of previous discussions between the two nations' leaders, which emphasized bilateral talks and rebuilding trust before restoring relations. The focus, as reiterated by Mr. Sihasak, will initially be on maritime boundary discussions, which could potentially lead to broader conversations on land boundaries, albeit Cambodia's recent stance complicates this approach.
Thailand has consistently advocated for negotiations concerning the maritime boundary under the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Despite Cambodia now being a party to the UNCR Convention and both countries' adherence to international law, progress has been stalled. Mr. Sihasak questioned Cambodia's reluctance to engage in negotiations, particularly when voluntary compromise processes exist, suggesting Cambodia's recent actions signify a closure to such dialogues.
The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement on July 20th emphasized direct negotiations on the land border without involving the UNCRAS Convention. Mr. Sihasak highlighted this position as contradictory, noting that the UNCRAS Convention still offers dialogue avenues. Despite Cambodia's request for a Thai-Cambodian JBC meeting, they have rejected discussions through UNCRAS, revealing inconsistencies in their approach.
Addressing the complexities of the border situation, Mr. Sihasak emphasized the need for preemptive measures to foster cooperation and confidence, such as mine clearance and addressing the SAMMER problem, before any border demarcation meetings. He reiterated that while the JBC issue is technical, the broader challenges involve border security and trust-building, which are crucial for the progress of demarcation work.
Discussions at the summit also delved into broader regional and geopolitical dynamics, underscoring ASEAN's dedication to a rules-based order. ASEAN's treaties aim to promote regional security and peace, with the Indo-Pacific framework advocating for an open and free approach. Given the global turbulence, ASEAN recognizes the necessity of expressing concerns and encouraging negotiations beyond its immediate region, particularly regarding the ongoing situation in the Middle East, which remains a global concern.