Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Thai Foreign Minister warmly welcomed on an official visit to Cambodia

ISRIA

On 25-26 January 2009, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia as guest of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong. During the visit, the Foreign Minister was graciously granted an audience by H.M. Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni. He paid courtesy calls on top Cambodian leaders, namely, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, and Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim, President of the Senate of Cambodia. He also met and held bilateral talks with his Cambodian counterpart.

In his discussions with the Cambodian leaders, the Foreign Minister reiterated the importance attached by the Thai Government to promoting stronger ties with neighbouring countries, especially Cambodia. To this end, the Foreign Minister underscored the Thai Government's political will as well as the close cultural affinity and similarities between both Kingdoms which would serve as a strong foundation for closer bilateral ties.

The Foreign Minister suggested that there be more exchanges of visits between both sides. In this connection, the Foreign Minister reiterated the invitation to His Majesty King Sihamoni to pay a State Visit to Thailand as guests of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand. The Thai Government was also pleased that, next month, Prime Minister Hun Sen would be traveling to Thailand to attend the 14th ASEAN Summit in Cha Am/Hua Hin, while the Thai Minister of Defence would also be visiting Cambodia.

On bilateral cooperation, both sides agreed to resolve the border issue using peaceful means under the existing framework of the Joint Border Committee which is scheduled to hold its next meeting on 2-4 February 2009 in Thailand. Both sides also agreed that redeploying the troops would be one of the topics to be discussed during the Defence Minister's visit next month. The Foreign Minister has also informed his Cambodian counterpart that the Thai Cabinet is in the process of appointing the new Thai Chairman of the Sub-Joint Technical Committee (Sub-JTC) so that discussions could be held possibly in March.

Other issues discussed include the identification and the return of Cambodian artifacts and consular relations between Thailand and Cambodia. To follow up on these and other issues, both sides also agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation.

On sub-regional cooperation, both sides agreed to expedite cooperation within ACMECS, including the ACMECS Single Visa Scheme and the promotion of tourism through the Two Kingdoms/One Destination concept, and the signing of the MOU on Contract Farming. On tourism cooperation, Prime Minister Hun Sen also proposed that a meeting of the Emerald Triangle countries, namely, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, be held on the sidelines of the 14th ASEAN Summit in Thailand. Increased cooperation on rice between Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam was also discussed.

As Thailand is the current ASEAN Chair, the Cambodian side also reiterated its readiness to work with Thailand to promote closer cooperation between Member States as well as with dialogue partners.

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