(Phnom Penh): Cambodian National Assembly declared its full support for the decision of the Royal Government to utilize the compulsory conciliation mechanism under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to peacefully resolve the issue of the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA) between Cambodia and Thailand, following the recent unilateral withdrawal by the Thai side from the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU 2001).
The National Assembly expresses deep regret over the unilateral decision by the Thai side to abrogate the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU 2001). As a nation consistently committed to upholding international law and the principles of peaceful dispute resolution, Cambodia is left with no alternative but to rely upon international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as its foundation, particularly the compulsory conciliation mechanism explicitly stipulated within this convention.
Cambodia has journeyed under the wise leadership of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate and Former Prime Minister, continuing under the Royal Government of the 7th Legislature led by Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister, by maintaining a clear and firm stance on the substance and mechanisms of peaceful negotiation in accordance with international law.
Over the past 25 years, the MOU 2001 has served as the sole essential bilateral framework upon which Cambodia and Thailand agreed to resolve the overlapping claims area issue. This mechanism is a testament to the spirit of cooperation and genuine goodwill between the two countries, which no other bilateral mechanism can replace.
The National Assembly wishes to reaffirm once again its full support for the decision of the Royal Government to utilize this compulsory conciliation mechanism, as well as its full commitment to international law and regional peace.
The National Assembly calls upon international friends, the international community, and all development partners to pay close attention and help monitor the implementation of the compulsory conciliation mechanism under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to achieve an appropriate, just, and transparent resolution.
=FRESH NEWS
