Cambodian Foreign Ministry Responds to Thai Foreign Minister's 'Stalled' Border Talks Claim

The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement refuting claims by Thai Foreign Minister Prayut Chan-ocha that bilateral border negotiations between the two countries are "stalled." This statement indicates Cambodia's commitment to transparency in its foreign policy and its desire to maintain relations with neighboring countries. While directly addressing the Thai Foreign Minister's remarks, the statement did not provide specific details on the progress of negotiations or which border areas are facing delays. This approach can be interpreted as Cambodia's intention to protect its national interests while maintaining caution in its external communications. Long-standing issues regarding the demarcation of land and maritime borders exist between Cambodia and Thailand. In particular, the delimitation of maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Thailand, rich in oil and natural gas resources, is an economically significant issue for both nations. In the past, these issues have sometimes led to tensions in bilateral relations. The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement appears to deny the perception of stalled negotiations in response to the Thai side's assertion, signaling a desire for continued constructive dialogue. However, with no concrete progress visible, further efforts will be required for confidence-building and reaching substantive agreements between the two countries. Source: CPP Cambodia