Bangkok: The National Security Council of Thailand has resolved to cancel Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 44, citing 25 years of stalled progress as the root cause of mistrust between Thailand and Cambodia. Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced the decision, aligning it with government policy.
According to Thai News Agency, MOU 44 was intended to serve as a framework for negotiations on the joint management of maritime resources between Thailand and Cambodia. However, in the past 20 years, only five negotiation sessions have taken place, none of which have led to beneficial outcomes for either country. Instead, these sessions have resulted in disputes over maritime boundaries and ongoing conflicts, hindering any path towards joint development and resource management.
The cancellation of MOU 44 will terminate negotiations under its framework. Nonetheless, if Cambodia remains interested in joint development and management of seawater resources with Thailand, it is encouraged to express this intention. This would allow for the establishment of a new, feasible negotiation framework, aimed at avoiding past maritime boundary disputes.
The persistent conflicts over the past 25 years following the signing of MOU 44 have contributed to stalled negotiations and the failure to achieve the MOU's objectives. To progress, the key principle is to first agree on maritime boundaries, followed by exploring avenues for joint development and management based on sincerity and fair sharing.
MOU 44, which has been in place for 25 years with only five unproductive negotiation sessions, has not achieved its objectives. Its existence has also fostered suspicion and conflict between the two countries. Therefore, it is deemed appropriate to cancel it and establish a new negotiation framework to reduce conflict and ensure effective resource use.
On April 9th, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the Cabinet's policy to Parliament, addressing Thailand's foreign policy and security. Under the topic of promoting border security and resolving cross-border issues, he emphasized the aim to resolve the Thai-Cambodian situation through peaceful means and existing bilateral mechanisms. This includes accelerating the study of ways to cancel the 2001 MOU, a step which the National Security Council meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister, has already approved.
Subsequent to the National Security Council's resolution, the matter will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration. Following a Cabinet resolution, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will proceed with the next steps.