Vietnam urges peaceful resolution to Thai, Cambodia border conflict

Mar 24, 2011, 4:19 GMT

Hanoi - Vietnam urged Thailand and Cambodia to find a peaceful solution to recent conflicts in accordance with international law, state media reported Thursday.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem made the comment at a meeting with his Thai counterpart in Hanoi Wednesday, the report said.

According to state-run newspaper Viet Nam News, Khiem welcomed upcoming talks between Thailand and Cambodia on border issues to be held in Indonesia next month.

A peaceful resolution over border clashes between the two countries 'was for the benefit of the two countries' peoples and for peace, stability and co-operation in the region,' Khiem was quoted as saying.

Vietnam has consistently held a neutral stance on the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. The conflict, which claimed five lives last month, centres on ownership of a plot of land near the region's Preah Vihear temple.

The temple itself has changed hands many times over hundreds of years, although the International Court of Justice granted Cambodia sovereignty in 1962.

The Association of South-East Nations (ASEAN) has taken the reins of mediating negotiations and the two countries are to meet in Indonesia, the group's chair, to discuss the issue on April 7.
Vietnam was chair of ASEAN in 2010.