(Phnom Penh): On Monday night (Jun. 2), the joint congress of the National Assembly and the Senate issued a statement expressing its full support for the Cambodian Royal Government’s handling of the border issue with the Kingdom of Thailand, following a recent armed assault in the Emerald Triangle area, located within Cambodian territory.

"The joint congress highly commended the steadfast efforts of the Royal Government of Cambodia in protecting the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Kingdom. These efforts include the strategic deployment of diplomatic channels, negotiations, regional frameworks, engagement with the United Nations, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the exercise of the legitimate right to self-defence. The Government continues to pursue these measures with firmness, determination, and unwavering commitment to peace, stability, and the core national interests — a priceless legacy cultivated over more than four decades by Samdech Techo Hun Sen," according to the statement seen by Fresh News on Monday (Jun. 2).

"The joint congress strongly condemned the unlawful attack carried out by Thai military forces against Cambodian troops in the Emerald Triangle area on the morning of 28 May 2025. This act was described as a serious violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In light of this, the members unanimously voiced their support for the Royal Government’s clear and resolute position in referring the matter of Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Toch Temple, Ta Krabei Temple, and the Emerald Triangle area — long-standing flashpoints due to Thai military provocations — to the International Court of Justice. This decision was unanimously approved, with 182 out of 182 participating members voting in favour on 2 June 2025. The members also fully endorsed the statement by Prime Minister Hun Manet, who asserted, “We not sit and stop the smoke, but to put out the fire completely.”

Furthermore, the joint congress emphasised the importance of maintaining normal and constructive relations between the two countries and peoples, while preventing any escalation that could lead to hostilities. The Royal Government was encouraged to continue making full use of existing bilateral mechanisms, including the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) and the General Border Committee (GBC), in order to uphold and promote a border characterised by friendship, peace, cooperation, and development to the mutual benefit of both nations.

The joint congress expressed deep gratitude and admiration for the heroism displayed by Cambodia’s armed forces, national police, and all security personnel guarding the nation’s borders. It also called for a patriotic movement nationwide, urging citizens to voluntarily support the armed forces in fulfilling their duty to defend the country's territorial integrity.

Lastly, the joint congress appealed to all Cambodians, both at home and abroad, to unite in solidarity and place their trust in the Royal Government, upholding national unity to reinforce defence capabilities and thwart the political ambitions of a small extremist group attempting to exploit the border issue for corrupt political gain."
=FRESH NEWS