As the Thai military remain present in Cambodia territory, blocking Cambodian civilians from returning to their homes, Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has emphasised the importance of consistency between commitment on paper and the action on the ground.
Sokhonn met with 55 foreign diplomats in Phnom Penh on January 6 to update them on the current situation regarding the conflict with Thailand. He highlighted how the release of 18 captured Cambodian soldiers has contributed to rebuilding trust between the two nations, according to a press release.
However, he also expressed deep concerns that hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians remain unable to return to their homes in several locations across four Cambodian provinces, due to the fact that access has been blocked by the Thai military.
“He stressed the importance of ensuring that actions on the ground are consistent with the ceasefire commitments and relevant international principles, as well as with the spirit of ASEAN cooperation,” said the foreign ministry press release.
According to the December 27 joint declaration, both sides agreed to allow civilians residing in the affected border areas to return as soon as possible, without obstruction and in safety and dignity, to their homes and normal livelihoods in areas within their own side.
Sokhonn reiterated that Cambodia and Thailand have an internationally recognised boundary, defined by maps produced pursuant to the 1904 Convention and the 1907 Treaty.
He noted the significant progress in demarcation achieved by the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), most recently in the border segments between Boundary Pillars 52-59 and 42- 47.
He recalled paragraph 3 of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special GBC, which explicitly affirmed that all arrangements under the statement are without prejudice to boundary survey and demarcation. Pursuant to this section, Cambodia has requested the urgent convening of the JBC to expedite its work, in line with the Joint Statement.
Sokhonn underscored that Cambodia remains fully committed to ensuring that the current ceasefire endures.
“Cambodia’s immediate priority is the full, sincere and good-faith implementation of the ceasefire and related agreements, including the safe and dignified return of displaced civilians to their homes; the peaceful settlement of disputes through established mechanisms; the resumption of survey and demarcation work under the JBC; and practical cooperation strictly within agreed frameworks,” he was quoted as saying.
He added that this cooperation includes humanitarian demining through the Joint Coordinating Task Force (JCTF) in accordance to the agreed Standard Operating Procedure, and the maintenance of open lines of communication between military authorities and foreign ministries.
He also stressed the important role of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) on the ground to verify and ensure the full implementation of the ceasefire and other agreed measures essential for transparency, confidence-building and trust.
“He stressed that Cambodia and Thailand are, and will remain, permanent neighbours, sharing a common responsibility to ensure lasting peace, stability, and prosperity for their peoples, for the region, and for the ASEAN family,” said the release.
Sokhonn reiterated that Cambodia chooses peace, diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
