Phnom penh: Cambodia is reaffirming its commitment to humanitarian mine clearance along its border with Thailand and is strongly refuting recent accusations from its neighbor. Speaking at a press briefing here this morning, H.E. Nong Sakal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Prak Sokhonn, stated that the landmines on Cambodian territory are remnants of past conflicts and have yet to be fully cleared.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Prak Sokhonn highlighted Cambodia's evolution from a victim of landmines to a key contributor to global mine action. The country has deployed over 10,000 deminers as part of United Nations missions in nine countries. This effort demonstrates Cambodia's strong commitment to advancing mine action worldwide.
The country is also dedicated to achieving mine-free status by 2030, in close cooperation with international partners. In a move toward resolution, H.E. Prak Sokhonn suggested that Cambodia and Thailand jointly prioritize border areas for humanitarian mine clearance. This joint effort would focus on populated locations where clearance would directly address socio-economic needs and protect civilian lives on both sides of the border.
"Cambodia and Thailand should identify and prioritize such areas for demining, ensuring that mine action directly contributes to human security and development," he emphasized.