Cambodia concerned about Thailand's suspension of peace deal

In a statement released on the evening of November 10, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the peace agreement with Thailand, signed under the witness of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, is an important step towards lasting peace along the two countries' border.

The Prime Ministers of Thailand and Cambodia met on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit. Photo: khmertimes

According to Cambodia, Thailand cited the November 10 mine explosion in the Phnom Trop area near Preah Vihear temple that injured three Thai soldiers as a reason to suspend the peace agreement and cancel the plan to release 18 Cambodian prisoners of war.

"The Cambodian government firmly denies Thailand's accusation that Cambodia has placed new mines at the border," the statement said, adding that most of the landmines in the area are remnants of conflicts in Cambodia in the 1970s and 1980s.

Cambodia also explained that many border areas have not been cleared of mines due to rugged terrain and unclear demarcation, leading to unintended explosions.

The country reaffirmed its commitment to fully implement the peace agreement with Thailand, stressing that Cambodia "has never and will never use any new types of mines".

Thailand has suspended its peace agreement with Cambodia following a landmine explosion near the border. Thai Defense Minister Nattapon Narkphanit said the mines were likely newly planted, as the explosion occurred on a route regularly patrolled by Thai forces.

The peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand was expected to establish a lasting peace, ending hostilities after a border conflict in July that left at least 43 people dead and more than 300,000 civilians on both sides of the border evacuated.

Source: https://congluan.vn/campuchia-quan-ngai-viec-thai-lan-dinh-chi-thoa-thuan-hoa-binh-10317332.html