Preah Vihear Temple
No consensus was reached on the schedule for withdrawing troops from the disputed border area surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple complex, during the second meeting of the Cambodian-Thai Joint Working Group (JWG) on June 27 in Phnom Penh.
The troop pullout is in accordance with a directive issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 18, 2011.
The meeting lasted longer than planned, ending at midnight as the two sides could not settle their differences.
Speaking after the meeting, the Secretary of State at Cambodia 's Defence Ministry, Neang Phat, said that Thailand rejected the draft joint statement on troop withdrawal due to several unresolved issues, particularly the specific date of the troop withdrawal.
However, both sides agreed that they will maintain a peaceful stance along the border and will comply with the principle of cooperation for peace, friendship and development and prevent any negative actions, particularly in areas where mines are being cleared, he said.
Neang Phat also revealed that Cambodia and Thailand will sit down together again on June 28 to try and hammer out a solution to the situation.
VNA
