SINGAPORE - Cambodia and Thailand delivered opening statements Tuesday in a compulsory UNCLOS conciliation over their disputed Gulf of Thailand maritime boundary.
The public opening session began at 9 a.m. Singapore time during the Conciliation Commission’s first meeting, which runs from Sept. 14 to 16.
The proceeding was established under Article 298 and Annex V of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, while the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s case record says the PCA is serving as Registry.
In opening statements reported by Reuters, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said Phnom Penh is seeking a treaty establishing a single, all-purpose maritime boundary with Thailand.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said Bangkok considers the proceeding’s scope to be limited to maritime boundary delimitation between the two countries in the Gulf of Thailand.
The dispute concerns overlapping maritime claims covering about 26,000 square kilometres in the Gulf of Thailand. The countries had negotiated under a 2001 memorandum for more than two decades before Thailand’s Cabinet approved its termination on May 5.
The Thai government said the framework had produced no progress and that UNCLOS could serve as a common guide for future efforts to resolve the boundary.
Cambodia formally notified Thailand and the UN secretary-general on June 2 that it was initiating compulsory conciliation.
Thailand submitted its response on June 19, agreeing to participate while reiterating that its objective in the process was limited solely to maritime delimitation.
The process is conciliation, not arbitration or a court proceeding. Under Annex V of UNCLOS, the commission hears the parties, examines their claims and objections and may propose an amicable settlement.
It is required to report within 12 months of its constitution, but its conclusions and recommendations are not legally binding on either government.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said ahead of the meeting that adoption of Rules of Procedure would be a key agenda item, setting the framework for the commission’s subsequent work. The ministry said the commission was expected to meet periodically after the inaugural session.
Cambodia has left open an alternative if delimitation cannot be agreed.
“Cambodia would be prepared to conclude an agreement with Thailand for the joint development and equitable sharing of resources between the two states,” Reuters quoted Prak as saying.
