BANGKOK, 19 April 2012 – Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to elevate the two neighbors’ cooperation around border area in order to effectively tackle the problem of illegal logging.
Mr. Julapong Nonsichai, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that his recent meeting with Mr. Long Visalo, Cambodia’s Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation focused on the follow-up on various talks Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul had discussed in Phnom Penh during their visit to Cambodia at the end of 2011, particularly the two countries’ cooperation along the border area.
At the latest meeting, Mr. Julapong also expressed Thailand’s worries over illegal logging activities in the border area while Cambodia also said they were worried about the deaths of Cambodians, believed to be related to the same problem.
The Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs went on to say that both Southeast Asian neighbors have stated strong political will to strengthen ties and agreed to make more commitments to solve all problems they have been facing.
In doing so, Thailand and Cambodia have pledged to promote closer collaboration and exchange of information, which are believed to help both solve and prevent all illegal activities in a more sustainable manner.
