Cambodia and Thailand agree to border talks

Jan 26, 2009, 10:28 GMT

   Phnom Penh - Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers meeting in Phnom Penh agreed Monday to negotiate a border dispute that last year erupted into a fatal skirmish between the South-east Asian neighbours.

   Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters after his two-hour meeting with Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya that talks concerning the border surrounding the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple would resume next week.

   'Our countries' Joint Border Commission will meet on February 2 to discuss border demarcation and our ministers of defence will meet on February 6,' he said.

   Hor Namhong said the talks would aim at clearly demarcating the border near the Hindu temple, which has been a source of tension between Cambodia and Thailand for decades.

   Tensions flared in July last year after the site was granted UNESCO World Heritage status, prompting nationalistic rhetoric from leaders of both countries.

   Both countries deployed troops to the border area in October and each suffered casualties in sporadic fighting.

   In November, they agreed to withdraw troops and resume talks but negotiations were delayed by political instability in Thailand.

   Diplomatic efforts resumed after new Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva formed a government in mid-December.