Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen 'Keen to Solve' Border Issues
Kasit gets agreement for new round of talks - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has reaffirmed his desire to help in resolving problems hampering relations with Thailand, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya says.
Mr Kasit said the Cambodian prime minister had told him during a meeting yesterday the two countries needed to work together through peaceful negotiation.
Hun Sen said constructive relations should not be obstructed by minor issues.
"The relationship between Thailand and Cambodia has to be constructive, otherwise it might make other Asean friends unhappy because the two countries are members of the same group," said Mr Kasit after wrapping up a two-day visit to Phnom Penh.
Mr Kasit last year was a vocal critic of the previous government's handling of the Preah Vihear temple issue.
Public criticism at the time forced Thailand to withdraw its support for Cambodia's bid to have the temple listed as a World Heritage site.
But the minister said his past actions would not pose any hurdles to bilateral relations.
Mr Kasit's visit included a meeting with Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.
The two agreed in principle to scale back troop numbers along the disputed border following a deadly military confrontation near the ancient Preah Vihear temple last year.
They will restart stalled talks and set a schedule for future meetings on demarcating the frontier near the 11th century temple to avoid future clashes.
"The priority and the urgent issue is to demarcate the area near the Preah Vihear temple and scale back troops," the Cambodian minister said after the two-hour meeting with Mr Kasit.
"This is another step forward. We must show our restraint."
The Hindu temple sits on an escarpment that forms the natural border between Cambodia's Preah Vihear province and Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket province. It has been a source of tension for generations.
The International Court of Justice awarded it to Cambodia in 1962 but the ruling did not determine the ownership of 4.6 sq km of adjoining scrubland, leaving considerable scope for disagreement between the two countries.
Thailand and Cambodia agreed in November to withdraw troops from the disputed area and follow up with joint demarcation of the heavily mined frontier. However, the fall of the Somchai Wongsawat government in December delayed implementation of the plan.
The demarcation comes under the responsibility of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). The two countries agreed to hold the next round of JBC talks from Feb 2-4 in Bangkok.
Defence Minister Pravit Wongsuwan will visit Cambodia on Feb 6 to hold talks on the plan to reduce military forces along the border.
Mr Kasit and Hor Namhong also agreed to meet in March to look at a stretch of disputed water in the Gulf of Thailand believed to contain oil and natural gas deposits.
Mr Kasit said he would ask the cabinet to appoint former ambassador to South Korea Vasin Teeravejayarn, who is now the head of JBC, to lead Thailand in the talks on the disputed marine territory.