Cambodia Appoints UNCLOS Mediator, Briefs Envoys on Khmer Stance

Matichon•International•12d ago

Reader Briefing

Cambodia initiates a UNCLOS compulsory conciliation process for maritime disputes with Thailand, appointing two legal experts and briefing international envoys.

•Cambodia has appointed two legal experts to serve as mediators in a compulsory conciliation process under UNCLOS.
•This move follows Thailand's unilateral withdrawal from the 2001 or MOU44, which previously governed bilateral negotiations on overlapping maritime claims.
•Cambodia briefed ambassadors and international organizations on its stance regarding the Thai-Cambodian border issue and its decision to pursue UNCLOS mechanisms.
•The conciliation process will formally begin with Cambodia's notification to the UN Secretary-General, requiring a Thai response within three weeks.

Overview

•Khmers Times reported on June 2, that Cambodia appointed two legal experts to serve as mediators.
•Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia, stated that Cambodia has appointed two legal experts to act as mediators in the compulsory conciliation process under UNCLOS.
•This action was taken after Thai Prime Minister Hun Manet officially announced Cambodia's intention to use international legal mechanisms after Thailand unilaterally withdrew from the 2001 or MOU44, a framework for bilateral negotiations on overlapping maritime claims.
•The conciliation process will officially commence when Cambodia informs UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and Thailand must respond within three weeks.
•After Thailand appoints two conciliators, the four conciliators will jointly select the chairperson of the commission, who will be the fifth member.
•Prak Sokhonn briefed ambassadors and representatives of international organizations on the Thai-Cambodian border issue, Cambodia's stance, and the reasons for pursuing compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS.
•Prak Sokhonn further stated that this briefing aimed to reveal the development of the situation and Cambodia's stance on the border issue, including key points from Prime Minister Hun Manet.
•Cambodia views the mechanisms under UNCLOS as a peaceful and universal legal approach to resolving maritime disputes.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Prak Sokhonn

"The process will officially begin when Cambodia informs UN Secretary-General António Guterres, with Thailand needing to respond within three weeks thereafter."

กระบวนการดังกล่าวจะเริ่มต้นอย่างเป็นทางการเมื่อกัมพูชาแจ้งต่อไทยนายอันโตนิอู กุแตเรซ เลขาธิการสหประชาชาติ โดยไทยต้องตอบกลับภายใน 3 สัปดาห์หลังจากนั้น

Prak Sokhonn

"This briefing to envoys and international organizations reveals the latest developments regarding Cambodia's stance on the border issue."

การชี้แจงต่อคณะทูตและองค์การระหว่างประเทศครั้งนี้เป็นเปิดเผยพัฒนาการสถานการณ์จุดยืนของกัมพูชาในเรื่องปัญหาเขตแดน

Prak Sokhonn

"Cambodia views the mechanisms under UNCLOS as a peaceful and universal legal approach to resolving maritime disputes."

กัมพูชามองว่ากลไกภายใต้ UNCLOS นั้นเป็นแนวทางที่ใช้สันติวิธีและกติกาสากลในการแก้ไขข้อพิพาททางทะเลด้วย

Key Entities

Place

Cambodia(กัมพูชา)ℹ️

The nation initiating a UNCLOS compulsory conciliation process regarding maritime disputes with Thailand.

Thailand(ไทย)ℹ️

The nation involved in a maritime dispute with Cambodia, whose unilateral withdrawal from MOU44 led to Cambodia's actions.

Law

UNCLOSℹ️

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, under which Cambodia is initiating a compulsory conciliation process.

MOU44

Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2001 (2001), previously serving as a framework for bilateral negotiations on maritime claims between Cambodia and Thailand, from which Thailand withdrew.

Person

Prak Sokhonn(ปรัก สุคน)ℹ️

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia, who announced the appointment of mediators and briefed envoys.

Hun Manet(ฮุน มาเนต)ℹ️

Prime Minister of Cambodia, who previously announced the intention to use international legal mechanisms.

António Guterres(อันโตนิอู กุแตเรซ)ℹ️

Secretary-General of the United Nations, who will be formally notified by Cambodia to initiate the conciliation process.