Border development zones and transport links to be discussed in Phnom Penh
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Ministers from Thailand and Cambodia will tomorrow explore the possibilities of establishing a special zone along the border to enhance economic development and connections between the two neighbours and the region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul will lead a Thai delegation that includes ministers and senior officials from defence, commerce, finance, transport, energy, the interior and industry ministries to a meeting with their Cambodian counterparts.
The ministers will discuss 11 areas of cooperation during the one-day meeting in Phnom Penh.
Items on the agenda 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 connections by road and rail.
A proposal by Cambodia to open more border crossings will also be discussed along with plans to create the 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.
Plans for border development were discussed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
and her Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen in February. The two premiers then agreed to set up a joint committee on border area development and connectivity. The panel is jointly chaired by Surapong and Hor Namhong, the Cambodian foreign minister.
Surapong told reporters earlier that Thailand and Cambodia had succeeded in building a good relationship for mutual benefit of their people despite being at loggerheads over the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear. “We have reached a common ground to separate the court battle over Preah Vihear from the big picture,” he said.
Ties with Cambodia improved dramatically after the current government took power two years ago. The border conflict over the Hindu temple is now being considered by the International Court of Justice following a request by Phnom Penh for the court to interpret its 1962 judgement. The court is expected to deliver its verdict later this year.
Surapong said whatever the court decides, it will not jeopardise relations between the two countries as they are working to develop many other mutual benefits.
