Cambodia and Thailand have agreed in principle to cooperate in addressing their differences and disputes in a peaceful and mutually beneficiary way in order to promote the friendship between the two neighbours for stability in the region and the world.

The two countries reached the agreement during talks between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart, Yingluck Shinawatra, in Phnom Penh on September 15.

Cambodian Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong told reporters after the meeting that on the border conflict, PM Hun Sen suggested the two sides comply with the August 18 decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The decision required both sides pull out troops from the disputed border near Preah Vihear temple to make this area a provisional demilitarised zone under the supervision of Indonesian observers.

The Cambodian PM said that after the troop withdrawal completes, the two sides will conduct negotiations on the basis of the ICJ’s 1962 verdict on the sovereignty over the temple.

He also asked the Thai side to implement a visa agreement among four regional countries, namely Cambodia , Thailand , Vietnam and Laos to facilitate tourism activities and economic development cooperation.

The two countries should resume multi-level negotiations as early as possible, firstly the Joint Border Committee, to boost their comprehensive cooperation, PM Hun Sen said.

After the talks, the Thai PM met with Cambodian King Sihamoni before returning home.

This was the first Cambodia visit by Yingluck as the Prime Minister of Thailand after her Puea Thai Party won a landslide victory in the general elections on July 3.

The visit is considered a turning-point in the bilateral ties, especially in the context of the two countries’ deadly border dispute relating to the Temple of Preah Vihear, which started in July 2008./.