Cambodia Wants Amicable Relations with Thailand: Vice PM

2011-05-07
Xinhua
Web Editor: Zhangjin

Cambodian Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said on Saturday that his country wants amicable relations with its neighboring countries, especially Thailand.

On the side lines of the 18th ASEAN Summit, Namhong told reporters that Cambodia has accepted the terms of reference (TOR) on the deployment of Indonesian observer team to the border of Thailand and Cambodia to settle the dispute between the two countries.

"After three decades of war, now we are, a small country, in the process of recovery. During the process, we don't want to be against other countries. We want an amicable relations with neighboring countries, particularly Thailand," said Namhong.

He welcomed the statement by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa who has said in a trilateral meeting on Friday night that the disputed countries must move ahead step by step.

However, he insisted that Cambodia will not withdraw its troops from Preah Viehear Temple. "Cambodia will not withdraw troops within its own territory," he said.