Thailand, Cambodia meet to discuss border development plans
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Phnom Penh - Ministers from Thailand and Cambodia will tomorrow explore the possibilities of establishing a special economic development zone along the border to enhance economic development and connectivity between the two neighbours and the region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul will lead a Thai delegation that includes ministers and senior officials from defence, commerce, finance, transportation, energy, interior and industry ministries to the meeting with their Cambodia counterparts.
The ministers will be discussing 11 areas of cooperation during the one-day meeting in Phnom Penh.
Agenda items include a plan to set up a special economic zone on the border between Sa Kaeo and Banteay Meancheay and Trat-Koh Kong as well as the development of transport connectivity by road and rail.
Also to be discussed is the proposal by Cambodia to open more border points of entry and develop the necessary infrastructure for such new checkpoints.
Ministers of the two countries will also look at schemes for energy cooperation to enhance power trade and transmission between the two countries.
They will also discuss human resource development, public health cooperation, job opportunities and income creation for the Cambodian people. Community development and cooperation in labour and tourism are also on the agenda.
The plan for such border development schemes was discussed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia in February. The two premiers then agreed to set up a joint committee on border area development and connectivity. The committee is jointly chaired by Surapong and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong.
Surapong earlier told reporters that Thailand and Cambodia have succeeded in building a good relationship for mutual benefit of its respective populations despite being at loggerheads over the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear.
“We have reached a common ground to separate the court battle over the Preah Vihear from the big picture,” Surapong said.
Relations with Cambodia dramatically improved after the current government took power two years ago.
The border conflict over the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear is now under the consideration of the International Court of Justice following a request by Phnom Penh for court to interpret the 1962 judgement. The court is expected to deliver its verdict late this year.
Surapong said whatever the court decided, it would not jeopardise relations between the two neighbours as they are working to develop many other mutual benefits.
