Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) convened a meeting this morning to prepare the necessary documents for submission to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the border dispute areas of Mom Bei, Tamoan Thom Temple, Tamoan Tauch Temple, and Ta Krabei Temple.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the meeting was chaired by H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of MFAIC. It marked the inaugural gathering of the Commission for the Preparation of Documents for the ICJ, established by the Royal Government of Cambodia on June 6, 2025. The meeting comes in the wake of Cambodia's written notification to the ICJ on June 15, 2025, expressing its intent to submit an application for the Court's adjudication on the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute over the four areas.
The meeting focused on reviewing actions already taken and those ongoing concerning ICJ procedures. Discussions also centered on developing a strategy and work plan to achieve the Commission's objectives. The Commission operates with two supporting Working Groups: the Legal Affairs Working Group and the Diplomatic Affairs Working Group.
The Commission's main duties include selecting international lawyers based on the recommendations of the Legal Affairs Working Group, examining and approving documents prepared for the ICJ submission, endorsing the work of the Diplomatic Affairs Working Group, communicating with the ICJ to initiate legal procedures for the disputed areas, and representing Cambodia before the ICJ throughout the legal proceedings.