Cambodia Reaffirms Commitment to International Law in UNCLOS Conciliation with Thailand

Cambodia has reiterated its strong commitment to international law, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and international institutions as mechanisms for resolving complex issues between States. The commitment was underscored by H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Cambodia’s Agent, in his opening statement delivered this morning at the first meeting of the Conciliation Commission under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) between Cambodia and Thailand in Singapore. The meeting is chaired by Ms. Katrina Cooper, Chairperson of the Conciliation Commission, with the participation of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) as Registry. H.E. Prak Sokhonn said Cambodia’s experience in seeking recourse to the International Court of Justice reflected the country’s confidence in international institutions as a means of resolving complex disputes between States peacefully and in accordance with international law. He noted that this experience had demonstrated that matters of the highest national importance could be addressed peacefully and through multilateral mechanisms rather than by force, while international frameworks could provide a stable and enduring foundation for neighbouring States to manage their differences. “This same commitment shapes how Cambodia approaches its ongoing relations with the Kingdom of Thailand,” he said, noting that the relationship between the two countries had gone through a challenging period. Cambodia, he added, hoped that the Conciliation Commission could help the two Parties “turn a new page for their mutual benefit.” The Cambodian Agent also drew encouragement from the outcome of the conciliation between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Commonwealth of Australia concerning the Timor Sea. He said the process demonstrated that compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS could help break long-standing deadlocks between neighbouring States and lead to a lasting treaty settlement. Cambodia is confident that the Conciliation Commission, with its distinguished composition, is well placed to assist Cambodia and Thailand in achieving a similar result – one that would bring peace, stability and shared prosperity to the region. By C. Nika