UNESCO convenes meeting with Cambodia and Thailand over Preah Vihear dispute

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Friday convened a meeting with Cambodia and Thailand delegations over the Preah Vihear dispute.

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova facilitated three days of bilateral meetings between to discuss conservation issues concerning the World Heritage site of Preah Vihear temple.

The meeting was held in a positive atmosphere of cooperation and dialogue. Bokova convened the discussions in order to reach an agreement on enhancing the temple's state of conservation following recent threats to the property and the border disputes near the site.

Bokova expressed satisfaction that the two governments attended the meeting but no agreement was reached. However, Suwit Khunkitti, Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, and Cambodian Vice-Prime Minister Sok An discussed the issues affecting the World Heritage site.

"I appeal to both countries to pursue efforts towards achieving a common agreement before the World Heritage Committee session in June in a spirit of cooperation and constructive dialogue," added Bokova.

Also on Friday, Thailand announced that Caretaker Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will present the Thailand's argument in the Preah Vihear dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) next week in the Hague.

Cambodia previously claimed property of the 11th century temple and the disputed surrounding area based on a 1962 verdict by ICJ. The Cambodian government asked the international court to clarify the ruling.

The 1962 ruling stated that the temple was in Cambodian soil but did not clarify the ownership of the surrounding area. Thai and Cambodian troops have been engaged in border fighting since earlier this year.

Both nations' soldiers remain deployed in the 4.6 square kilometer area near the ancient Preah Vihear temple on their shared border. Tensions first escalated between the two countries in July 2008 following the build-up of military forces near the site.

The United Nations Security Council urged both sides to establish a permanent ceasefire after at least 10 people were killed. Clashes resumed in February and the 900-year-old temple was damaged during clashes.

In 2008, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List in recognition of its outstanding universal value. It is considered an outstanding example of Khmer architecture and consists of a complex of sanctuaries linked by pavements and staircases on an 800-meter-long axis.