Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen met with his Thai counterpart AbhisitVejjajiva on May 8 on the sidelines of the 18th ASEAN summit fortalks on their border conflict that has overshadowed the region inJakarta , Indonesia .
The meeting was mediated by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his capacity as ASEAN chair 2011.
At the meeting, the Thai and Cambodian government leaders agreed tosoon conduct talks on the issue at the level of foreign ministers.
ASEAN General Secretary Surin Pitsuwan said the two leaders’ meeting was a good sign.
The meeting took place after PM Hun Sen said Thailand ’s request onthe withdrawal of Cambodian troops from their own territory is“unreasonable and unacceptable” at the plenary session of the 18 thASEAN summit on May 7.
He stressed the ongoingborder conflict between the two countries not only affects regionalsecurity and prosperity but also creates serious challenges to ASEAN inits pursuit towards the ASEAN Community in 2015.
Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva said Phnom Penh violated bilateralMemorandum of Understanding signed in 2000, under which no soldier andpeople should be found at the disputed area. He emphasised Bangkok ’shope that ASEAN member countries will help boost dialogues to quicklysolve the two countries’ skirmish./.