The Cambodian foreign minister and the head of the State Secretariat of Border Affairs (SSBA) will lead the Kingdom’s delegation to the second UNCLOS conciliation meeting, to be held in the Hague from October 14-18.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Lam Chea, Minister in Charge of the SSBA, will join the Conciliation Commission of five, constituted under Annex V to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), who laid out procedural rules during a September meeting in Singapore.
“The [second] meeting marks another important step in the peaceful process initiated by Cambodia to resolve the two countries’ maritime differences. Building on the constructive discussions held during the first meeting in Singapore, the session will provide an opportunity for the parties to explore avenues for further progress and identify areas of agreement relating to the delimitation of a maritime boundary,” explained an October 9 statement from the foreign ministry.
“Cambodia’s primary objective is to achieve a resolution that serves the peoples of both nations and contributes to peace, cooperation and shared prosperity in the region,” the ministry stated, quoting remarks shared by Sokhonn during the opening meeting.
Cambodia initiated the conciliation proceedings on June 2, following Thailand’s announcement of the cancellation of the bilateral MoU 2001 which set out procedures to resolve maritime disputes between the neighbouring kingdoms.
“Through this process, Cambodia’s intention is to conclude a treaty with Thailand delimiting a single, all-purpose maritime boundary between the two states, or an agreement for the joint development and equitable sharing of resources pending final agreement on the maritime boundary.
“If neither of these options are achieved, Cambodia will request that the commission prepare recommendations that could serve as a basis for future negotiations, in accordance with both countries’ obligations under UNCLOS,” said the ministry.
The ministry stated that Cambodia firmly believes that international law provides the foundation for the peaceful resolution of disputes between states.
“Cambodia will participate the meeting in The Hague in good faith and with the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, and looks forward to working with the Commission and with the Kingdom of Thailand towards a fair outcome and lasting resolution,” it said.
According to Permanent Court of Arbitration press release, the meeting in The Hague will be held in camera.
The five-member Conciliation Commission is chaired by Katrina Cooper (Australia), with ambassador Peter Taksøe-Jensen (Denmark), professor Jean-Marc Thouvenin (France), judge Albert Hoffmann (South Africa), and judge Rüdiger Wolfrum (Germany) each serving as members.
