Cambodia to use UNCLOS mediation for maritime dispute after Thai MOU abrogation

MGR Online•International•4d ago

Reader Briefing

Cambodia will initiate compulsory mediation under UNCLOS with Thailand after the latter's unilateral termination of the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding regarding maritime boundary disputes.

•Cambodia will proceed with compulsory mediation under UNCLOS with Thailand.
•This action follows Thailand's unilateral abrogation of the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU 44).
•The Cambodian Foreign Minister stated that Cambodia has 'no other choice' but to use this mechanism.
•Cambodia asserts that the termination of the MOU does not impact its legal rights over maritime areas.

Overview

•Cambodia announces it will commence compulsory mediation with Thailand under UNCLOS, following Thailand's unilateral rejection of the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU44).
•Thailand's decision to terminate the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding, the sole existing framework for negotiating maritime boundaries, left Cambodia with no other choice.
•Cambodia will initiate compulsory mediation under UNCLOS, a dispute settlement mechanism activated when bilateral negotiations fail.
•The 2001 MOU44 was the only bilateral cooperation framework for resolving overlapping maritime disputes and delimiting maritime boundaries peacefully and in accordance with international law.
•Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn stated that Thailand's withdrawal deviates from the spirit of cooperation and political will to resolve maritime disputes peacefully.
•The termination of the 2001 MOU does not affect Cambodia's legal rights over maritime areas, according to a Cambodian statement.
•Cambodia's decision to pursue mediation reflects a continued commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful and law-based mechanisms, in line with UNCLOS.
•UNCLOS was adopted in 1982, providing the legal framework Cambodia is now invoking.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on MGR Online (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: MGR Online (Original)

View Original Article

Key Quotes

Prak Sokhonn

"Today, after Thailand unilaterally rejected the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU44), Cambodia declares it will commence compulsory mediation with Thailand under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)."

วันนี้ หลังจากที่ไทยปฏิเสธบันทึกความเข้าใจปี 2001 (MOU44) แต่เพียงฝ่ายเดียว กัมพูชาขอประกาศว่าจะเริ่มกระบวนการไกล่เกลี่ยภาคบังคับกับไทยภายใต้อนุสัญญาสหประชาชาติว่าด้วยกฎหมายทะเล (UNCLOS)

Prak Sokhonn

"The 2001 Memorandum of Understanding was the sole framework for bilateral cooperation between our two countries to peacefully resolve overlapping maritime disputes and delimit maritime boundaries in accordance with international law."

บันทึกความเข้าใจปี 2001 เป็นกรอบความร่วมมือทวิภาคีเพียงกรอบเดียวระหว่างสองประเทศของเราในการแก้ไขปัญหาข้อพิพาททางทะเลที่ทับซ้อน และการกำหนดเขตแดนทางทะเลอย่างสันติ และสอดคล้องกับกฎหมายระหว่างประเทศ

Key Entities

Place

Cambodia(กัมพูชา)ℹ️

The country initiating compulsory mediation regarding a maritime dispute with Thailand.

Thailand(ไทย)ℹ️

The country that unilaterally abrogated the 2001 MOU regarding maritime disputes.

Law

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS)ℹ️

The international convention under which Cambodia is initiating compulsory mediation.

Memorandum of Understanding 44(MOU 44)

The bilateral agreement between Cambodia and Thailand concerning maritime disputes, which Thailand has abrogated.

Person

Prak Sokhonn(ปรัก สุคน)ℹ️

Cambodia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, who announced the country's intention to proceed with UNCLOS mediation.

Organization

Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs(กระทรวงการต่างประเทศกัมพูชา)

The government ministry that issued the statement regarding Cambodia's decision to use UNCLOS mechanisms.

Thai Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรีของไทย)

The governmental body in Thailand that made the decision to terminate the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding.