Tuesday 17 August 2010

ASEAN calls for solution to border dispute


Surin Pitsuwan during his meeting with Hun Xen on Monday (Photo: Xinhua)

Phnom Penh, Aug 17 (VNA) – ASEAN General SecretarySurin Pitsuwan has called for a peaceful solution to a border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand.

The ASEAN leader talked with the media after meeting Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong on Aug 16 in Phnom Penh.

Deputy PM Hor Namhong reaffirmed Cambodia ’s stand in solving the current border dispute with Thailand by peaceful means. However, he stressed that Cambodia is ready to defend its territorial integrity against any act of aggression.

The disputed ancient Preah Vihear temple is located in the mountains on the border between the two neighbouring countries.

The International Court of Justice decided in June 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but the boundary through the surrounding grounds includes an area of 4.6 sq. km that has been in dispute since the temple was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008.

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