(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Senate expressed its full support for the decision of the Royal Government of Cambodia to initiate the compulsory conciliation mechanism under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), following Thailand’s unilateral withdrawal from the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding concerning the Area of Overlapping Maritime Claims in the Gulf of Thailand (“MoU 44”), according to the statement seen by Fresh News on Thursday (May 7).
For more than twenty-five years, the 2001 MoU served as the only mutually agreed bilateral framework through which Cambodia and Thailand addressed overlapping maritime claims peacefully and constructively, in the spirit of dialogue, mutual respect, and good neighbourliness.
The Senate deeply regrets the unilateral termination of this important framework, which risks undermining decades of diplomatic efforts and delaying the peaceful resolution of maritime issues between the two countries.
The Senate firmly believes that the decision of the Royal Government of Cambodia to turn to the peaceful mechanisms provided under UNCLOS is fully legitimate, responsible, and in accordance with international law. Cambodia’s recourse to compulsory conciliation reflects its unwavering commitment to peace, dialogue, the rule of law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The Senate reiterates that the Gulf of Thailand must remain a zone of peace, cooperation, stability, and shared prosperity. In this spirit, the Senate expresses its sincere hope that the other party will continue to uphold the spirit of peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement in addressing overlapping maritime claims, in accordance with international law and UNCLOS.
The Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia reaffirms its full support for the principled position of the Royal Government of Cambodia and its enduring commitment to international law, regional peace, and good neighbourly relations.
Peace can only endure when dialogue is preserved, agreements are respected, and the rule of law remains the common foundation guiding relations between nations.
=FRESH NEWS
