The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, known as ASEAN, has claimed progress in solving the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia .
ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan told a press conference on May 4 that with help of global and regional nations, there would be a common effort to address the conflict.
Pitsuwan said the fact that foreign ministers agreed to attend the 18th ASEAN Summit and listen to issues of the two countries in conflict was already the first in many ways. “It's already the step forward into the future.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa of Indonesia , the current chair of ASEAN, said Thailand and Cambodia have requested Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to arrange bilateral meetings to settle the border conflicts.
Natalegawa said at the Jakarta Convention Center that it was expected there would be bilateral meetings at the level of foreign ministers and head of states between Thailand and Cambodia .
However, the Indonesian foreign minister could not confirm the time and venue of the meetings yet.
Natalegawa noted the issues of conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia would be raised at the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta from May 5 to 7.
The fighting that began on April 22 has quieted and the two countries reached an agreement of truce again on May 5. Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to allow Indonesia observers be posted at the disputed border area./.
ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan told a press conference on May 4 that with help of global and regional nations, there would be a common effort to address the conflict.
Pitsuwan said the fact that foreign ministers agreed to attend the 18th ASEAN Summit and listen to issues of the two countries in conflict was already the first in many ways. “It's already the step forward into the future.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa of Indonesia , the current chair of ASEAN, said Thailand and Cambodia have requested Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to arrange bilateral meetings to settle the border conflicts.
Natalegawa said at the Jakarta Convention Center that it was expected there would be bilateral meetings at the level of foreign ministers and head of states between Thailand and Cambodia .
However, the Indonesian foreign minister could not confirm the time and venue of the meetings yet.
Natalegawa noted the issues of conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia would be raised at the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta from May 5 to 7.
The fighting that began on April 22 has quieted and the two countries reached an agreement of truce again on May 5. Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to allow Indonesia observers be posted at the disputed border area./.
