By Xinhua,
Siem Reap, Cambodia : Cambodia and Thailand said that they were committed to a peaceful solution to the nearly two-week bilateral military standoff in the border area near the Preah Vihear Temple, after foreign ministers of the two countries ended their one-day meeting here on Monday evening without any resolution.
The meeting is a new step towards peaceful resolution of the issue, Hor Namhong, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, told reporters after meeting with his newly appointed Thai counterpart Tej Bunnag.
Both sides agreed to consider withdrawing troops from the pagoda near the Preah Vihear Temple and areas around it to avoid military tension, he said, adding that it is a victory step.
However, the Thai Foreign Minister said that he will report it to his government for final decision.
Cambodia and Thailand will open a new meeting later, Hor said, adding that the time has not been set yet.
In addition, Hor Namhong said that the two countries do not need special envoy from regional level.
The two sides began their talks around 10:20 am (0320 GMT). The meeting was scheduled to end around 4:30 pm (0920 GMT), but dragged on until around 10:00 pm (1500GMT).
Talks between Thailand’s armed forces chief General Boonsrang Niumpradit and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Banh ended a week ago without resolution. ASEAN intervention also failed the next day.
At least 1,000 soldiers have deployed since July 15 in manifestation of either sides’ claim of the 4.6 square km land at the border area.
The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, but surrounding land remains in dispute.