Tej, right, was optimistic about the second round of talks with Cambodia [AFP]28/07/08
Global
By Agencies
Foreign ministers from Thailand and Cambodia have begun talks aimed at resolving an increasingly tense stand-off between the two countries over disputed border territory near to the ruins of an ancient Khmer temple.
Officials at the talks on Monday hope the meeting in the northern Cambodian city of Siem Reap will end the stalemate between the two neighbours.
Last week a meeting between Thai and Cambodian defence ministers held in Bangkok foundered on what maps should be used to demarcate the border.
The move comes as thousands of soldiers from both sides face off near the Preah Vihear temple which sits on a cliff along the mountainous Thai-Cambodia border.
"I hope that the result of the talks will be positive," Tej Bunnag, Thailand's newly-appointed foreign minister, said ahead of Monday's meeting.
Thai and Cambodian officials say neither side expected a quick resolution but hoped to lay out a plan for tackling unresolved border issues.
UN help
Following the failed first meeting in Bangkok Cambodia sought help from the United Nations Security Council, but later agreed to a second meeting with Thailand.
Hor Namhong, Cambodia's foreign minister, said he hoped the fresh round of dialogue would end the impasse but warned that his government will pursue the case at the UN if talks failed again.
Negotiations last week quickly ended in an argument over which map drawn up over the last 100 years should be used to settle ownership of the temple and the surrounding area.
Despite the long-standing conflict, Thailand accepted a ruling by the International Court of Justice that awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962.
But ties turned hostile again recently after Unesco, the UN cultural organisation, listed Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site.
The current conflict focuses on an area about 5 sq km of scrubland surrounding the 11th century Khmer-era temple.
Concerns over Preah Vihear also helped boost the victory of Cambodia's ruling party in Sunday's general elections.
Global
By Agencies
Foreign ministers from Thailand and Cambodia have begun talks aimed at resolving an increasingly tense stand-off between the two countries over disputed border territory near to the ruins of an ancient Khmer temple.
Officials at the talks on Monday hope the meeting in the northern Cambodian city of Siem Reap will end the stalemate between the two neighbours.
Last week a meeting between Thai and Cambodian defence ministers held in Bangkok foundered on what maps should be used to demarcate the border.
The move comes as thousands of soldiers from both sides face off near the Preah Vihear temple which sits on a cliff along the mountainous Thai-Cambodia border.
"I hope that the result of the talks will be positive," Tej Bunnag, Thailand's newly-appointed foreign minister, said ahead of Monday's meeting.
Thai and Cambodian officials say neither side expected a quick resolution but hoped to lay out a plan for tackling unresolved border issues.
UN help
Following the failed first meeting in Bangkok Cambodia sought help from the United Nations Security Council, but later agreed to a second meeting with Thailand.
Hor Namhong, Cambodia's foreign minister, said he hoped the fresh round of dialogue would end the impasse but warned that his government will pursue the case at the UN if talks failed again.
Negotiations last week quickly ended in an argument over which map drawn up over the last 100 years should be used to settle ownership of the temple and the surrounding area.
Despite the long-standing conflict, Thailand accepted a ruling by the International Court of Justice that awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962.
But ties turned hostile again recently after Unesco, the UN cultural organisation, listed Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site.
The current conflict focuses on an area about 5 sq km of scrubland surrounding the 11th century Khmer-era temple.
Concerns over Preah Vihear also helped boost the victory of Cambodia's ruling party in Sunday's general elections.
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