CPC-Thailand meet at the International Court of Justice
On May 30, representatives of Thailand and Cambodia met at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague (Netherlands) to resolve issues related to the territorial dispute between the two sides that has lasted for many years.
The Cambodian delegation at the ICJ was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong; the Thai delegation was led by Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.
At the hearing, Mr. Hor Namhong asked the ICJ to take measures to end the escalating armed conflict in the disputed area around the ancient temple of Preah Vihear. Mr. Hor Namhong also asked Thailand to respect Cambodia's territorial sovereignty and withdraw all troops from the disputed area, ensuring security, peace and preserving the ancient temple.
Foreign military attaché delegation visits the ancient temple of Preah Vihear. Photo: THX
Meanwhile, Thailand believes that the ICJ has no jurisdiction to resolve the current dispute between Thailand and Cambodia in the above border area. According to the Thai representative, the country accepts the ICJ's 1962 ruling confirming that the Preah Vihear temple is located in Cambodian territory, but this ruling only concerns the temple and does not regulate the area around the temple.
The territorial dispute surrounding the ancient Preah Vihear temple on the border has become one of the most prominent issues in Cambodia-Thailand relations for many years. This is the second time the issue has been brought to an international court.
In 1962, Cambodia took the matter to the ICJ after tensions over the territorial dispute reached a boiling point, leading to the suspension of diplomatic relations between the two sides. The ICJ then ruled that the Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia. However, the boundary of the disputed area of about 4.6 square kilometers around the temple was not clearly defined.
After the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage Site in 2008, there were several clashes between soldiers from both countries for several weeks, killing at least 18 people and temporarily evacuating 85,000 people.
According to VNA
