(Belgrade): Sok Chenda Sophea, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Special Representative of the Royal Government of Cambodia, raised Cambodia’s concerns over Thailand’s continued unilateral actions affecting Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity during a High-Level Commemorative Meeting marking the 65th Anniversary of the 1st Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Belgrade, Serbia.
Speaking under the theme “The Legacy of Non-Alignment: Lessons for Today’s World” on Tuesday (Sep. 1), Sok Chenda Sophea underlined that NAM’s founding principles, including respect for national sovereignty, non-interference, peaceful coexistence and the rejection of force, remain essential to the international order.
“Cambodia now stands before the world with a renewed, uncompromising commitment to peace,” he said.
Addressing the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border, he stated that Cambodia is facing “a grave challenge to its territorial integrity.”
“Despite existing agreements and the binding judgments of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Thailand continues unilateral actions deep inside Cambodian territory, including the installation of barbed wire, the construction of permanent infrastructure, and the displacement of Cambodian civilians,” Sok Chenda Sophea said.
“Such actions amount to faits accomplis designed to alter borders by force, in clear violation of international law and NAM’s founding principles,” he added.
The Cambodian special representative noted that although the ceasefire in place since December 2025 has halted armed clashes, the situation remains fragile, particularly due to the displacement of Cambodian civilians who have lived in the affected areas for generations.
“Cambodia has consistently exercised the utmost restraint and remains firmly committed to dialogue and the peaceful settlement of all outstanding issues, in strict accordance with bilateral agreements and international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of ASEAN,” he said.
He called on Thailand to end its activities in Cambodian territory and return to bilateral mechanisms.
“We call upon Thailand to cease all activities in Cambodian territory, to fully implement existing agreements, and to resume bilateral mechanisms in good faith,” he said.
“We urge respect for international law, for the judgments of the ICJ, and for the dignity and rights of displaced civilians who must be allowed to return safely to their homes,” Sok Chenda Sophea underlined.
Cambodia, he said, categorically rejected these aggressions against its sovereignty. “We cannot and will not accept unilateral measures that undermine peace, destabilize communities, and erode trust between our two nations,” he added.
At the same time, he reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to peaceful mechanisms for resolving outstanding differences with Thailand, including maritime issues.
“Cambodia has embraced the compulsory conciliation process under UNCLOS with Thailand. This rules-based mechanism offers a peaceful path to resolve our maritime boundary differences,” he underscored.
“Cambodia’s position is clear,” the deputy prime minister said. “Borders must never be altered by force or through fait accompli. Disputes must be resolved through dialogue, negotiation, and legal mechanisms.”
=FRESH NEWS
