Sunday, 31 October 2010

Cambodia, Thailand agree to cooperate on seven issues at 7th GBC meeting


via CAAI

PATTAYA, Oct 30 -- Cambodia and Thailand agreed Saturday to cooperate on allowing their peoples to cross the border freely, removing landmines and to oppose every type of terrorism affecting the neighbouring countries.

The agreement was made following the end of the seventh General Border Committee (GBC) meeting co-chaired by Thai Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan and his Cambodian counterpart Gen Tea Banh. The meeting was held in Thailand's eastern resort of Pattaya.

Both men told a press conference after the 20-minute meeting ended that seven major issues were agreed at the meeting.

Improved cooperation will take place by giving easier access to the nationals of both countries to cross the border; labour cooperation; exchanging information; demining and destroying landmines which have been planted along the Thai-Cambodian border; maritime safety; reducing tensions through negotiations and opposing terrorism; and cooperation on trade, agriculture, public health, tourism, environment, education, religion and culture.

The two countries have been locked in a troop standoff at their disputed border since July 2008, when the ancient Preah Vihear temple was granted UNESCO World Heritage status.

The World Court ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia, although its main entrance lies in Thailand. The exact boundary through the surrounding grounds remains in dispute, with occasional military skirmishes claiming a number of lives.

Gen Tea Banh, also Cambodia’s deputy prime minister, was rushed to a hospital immediately for treatment of cholecystitis after the press conference ended.

The Cambodian official began suffering pain after playing a round of friendship golf on Friday. (MCOT online news)

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