CAMBODIA AND THAILAND SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT

By Soy Sophea

The Royal Governments of Cambodia and Thailand have signed pacts to improve their cooperation and so avoid the possibility of weapon fi ghts and relief tensions at the border, according to the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The Deputy Prime Minister Namhong, who arrived home on August 5 after a two-day official state visit to Thailand, said that his visit had a very fruitful outcome.

“In the future we will work together on educational, cultural, labor, criminal and public health issues and officials of both governments have stated their commitment to put an end to the continuous border tensions,” he added.

Furthermore both parties came to an agreement to open a temporary border between the two countries at Boeng Snor commune in Banteay Meanchey province. This will enable the exchange of prisoners from both sides.

Prisoners will be allowed to serve their sentence in their country of origin. Also both governments declared their commitment to treat each other’s prisoners with humanity and dignity. The two authorities will fulfill their obligations according to the 1963 Vienna Convention of Consular Relations.

The Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, told reporters upon his arrival that the meetings between him and his Thai Foreign Minister’s counterpart Kasit Piromya´s were conducted in a cordial and constructive atmosphere. Thus, reflecting the current state of good and close neighborliness and cooperation for the mutual benefits of the two countries. “We have reached consensus on a number of different topics.”

To manage the tensions the Thai-Cambodian border the delegation decided to take the following measures.

The Royal General Consulate of Cambodia currently located in Sa Kaeo’s Mueang is going to be relocated to the Aranyaprathet district, and a Royal Thai General Consulate will be opened in Siem Reap in the near future.

Both countries will expedite a five-year plan on labor cooperation. Thailand agreed to design and implement effective measures that will enable Cambodian seasonal and daily workers the work legal in the border areas of Thailand. The delegation also decided to work closely together on preventing the spread of infectious diseases as the Mexican fl u, HIV/AIDS, tuberculoses and malaria.

On economic issues it was decided that the two countries will work closely together on promoting tourism. The possibility of a joint visa, valid for both countries was discussed. Moreover, the Thai promised to encourage Thai investments in Cambodia and promote confidence among the Thai investors.

Both parties made a joint press statement, elaborating on their cooperation.

In the press statement the Cambodian delegation expressed their gratitude for Prince Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s sponsorship to the construction of the Kampong Chheuteal High School. The joint press statement also talked about the struggle against cross border trafficking of cultural property. “Cambodia and Thailand want to work together, also in a cultural sense.” Cultural property is very important for a countries identity, both countries committed to returning smuggled artifact to their country of origin. “By protecting each other’s culture we will further strengthen Cambodia’s and Thailands friendship,” stated the release.