MGR Online — A Cambodian official said today (17th) that UN-led compulsory conciliation negotiations over overlapping maritime claims with Thailand are expected to begin within the next few weeks, while also emphasizing that land border disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law.
Pen Bona, spokesman for the Cambodian government, said that Cambodia welcomes the appointment of Katrina Cooper, an Australian diplomat and legal expert, as the chairperson of the five-member Conciliation Commission established under the compulsory conciliation mechanism of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and stated that the Commission's first procedural meeting is expected to take place within the next few weeks.
The Cambodian government said the UNCLOS process is a significant step toward resolving overlapping maritime claims, and noted that the process could also open opportunities for joint development of oil and gas resources in the disputed waters, amid growing concerns over energy security in the region.
Pen Bona further stated that land border disputes must continue to be resolved through peaceful means and existing bilateral mechanisms.
He also reaffirmed Cambodia's position that international borders must be respected in accordance with treaties, conventions, maps, and the records of the Siam-France Border Demarcation Commission, and rejected any alteration of borders by force.
