Phnom penh: Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate, has affirmed that the Paris Peace Agreements cannot be applied to resolve the ongoing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. Speaking at the 4th Session of the Fifth Legislature of the Senate held this morning at the Senate Palace in Phnom Penh, Samdech Techo Hun Sen explained that the key elements of the Paris Peace Agreements had already been incorporated into Cambodia’s Constitution. He questioned those suggesting the use of the Paris Peace Agreements to address the current border issue, asking whether they had thoroughly read all the provisions of the accords.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the border issue has already been brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), while both countries are in the process of reaching a peace agreement expected to be signed on Oct. 26, without relying on the Paris Peace Agreements. The Senate President further noted that even if someone proposed invoking the Paris Peace Agreements, it would be impossible in practice, as France and Indonesia, the co-chairs of the conference, along with other signatory countries, would not agree. Cambodia and Thailand, both signatories, are currently in dispute and accusing each other of violating sovereignty, he pointed out.
The Agreements on a Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodian Conflict, widely known as the Paris Peace Agreements, were signed on Oct. 23, 1991, in the presence of international witnesses from 18 countries, including the then UN Secretary-General.