Bangkok repeats conditions for Cambodia talks on trust and sincerity
Thailand has informed China that it is ready to negotiate with Cambodia, but only on the condition that the process is grounded in sincerity and good faith to rebuild mutual trust, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Friday.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who visited Phnom Penh before arriving in Bangkok on Thursday, said Cambodia appeared reluctant to seek confrontation or armed conflict with Thailand.
“We also do not seek conflict with any neighbour, but any negotiations must follow agreed procedures to restore trust, which is a process that will take time and cannot be achieved overnight,” Sihasak said.
He spoke after meeting Wang Yi during foreign ministers’ talks in Krabi province yesterday.
Wang Yi also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at Government House in the morning.
Sihasak quoted Wang Yi as saying that Beijing has remained neutral in the border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, which have downgraded ties and led to the ongoing closure of border checkpoints.
Beijing indicated its willingness to facilitate talks if both Thailand and Cambodia request its assistance, as it did during a trilateral meeting held last December at Fuxian Lake in Yunnan.
According to Sihasak, Wang Yi said bilateral issues should not be brought to international forums, but resolved through direct dialogue.
Meanwhile, when asked whether China understood Thailand’s position, Anutin said discussions with Wang Yi covered the root causes of the problems and possible solutions.
Anutin also said Thailand has decided to withdraw from the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding with Cambodia, known as MoU 44.
He said the 25-year-old agreement had produced no progress and no longer serves Thai interests.
Referring to the 2000 MoU on border demarcation, Anutin said it remains in effect and is supported by professional cooperation and agreed progress between the two governments, and can continue as long as it does not fuel disputes.