Cambodia, Thailand mark 60 anniversary of diplomatic ties

Dec 20, 2010

Cambodia and Thailand marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties on Sunday, pledging to cooperate closer to bring peace, security and prosperity for the two nations and peoples.

The celebration was hosted by the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh with the participation of Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong.

During the celebration, Kasit Piromya said that over the past 60 years, the two countries have made a lot of efforts and energy to make the real relationship better and have faced and overcome challenges together.

"I believe that with our proximity and common aspiration, Thailand and Cambodia will be able to continue our journey of fruitful collaboration into the future in the years to come for our common peace, security and prosperity," he said. "We can and we must put the past behind, we have a common future and destiny."

He said that the relationship of the two countries is deep- rooted, intertwined and indivisible, and it provides a sound foundation, mutual trust and confidence to shape the common destiny and bright future for the peoples of the two countries.

Meanwhile, Hor Namhong said that "as neighbors, some problems always happen, however, we have found ways to overcome differences and move to build a good relation and mutual benefit for our peoples."

"It is the wish of the Cambodian people, and I believe, it is also the wish of the Thais that the two peoples can live side by side harmoniously and to maintain peace, stability, and to share prosperity together," he said.

"With our share efforts and sincere willingness, I believe that we will succeed and build our share border into a border of peace, friendship and cooperation," he added.

Cambodia and Thailand have had border conflict just one week after Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple was registered as World Heritage Site in July 2008.

Since then, military standoff has been on and off along the two countries' border and several military clashes have occurred with recorded small causalities from both sides.

The border issue, however, has been eased as the top leaders of Cambodia and Thailand have held four meetings since September.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Dec. 6 at a graduation ceremony that the border situation between Cambodia and Thailand has now returned to the date before July 15, 2008.

Source: Xinhua