BANGKOK, Jan 16 — Cambodia and Thailand on Friday agreed to jointly develop their border area and turn it into a peace and prosperity zone as the neighbouring countries plan to hold activities celebrating 65 years of diplomatic relations.
The agreement was made following the end of a two-day 9th Thailand-Cambodia Joint Commission meeting held in Cambodia's Siem Reap province.
It was co-chaired by Thai Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Affairs Minister GenTanasak Patimapragorn and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong.
Major issues that were discussed during the meeting include how to end the illegal felling of trees along their border.
They agreed to set up a committee at the national level to discuss the problem.
They agreed to develop a special economic zone in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province along with the Thai border province of Sa Kaeo and between Cambodia's Koh Kong with the Thai border province of Trat, and to promote four temporary border checkpoints to the permanent one in the near future.
Development of the telecommunication network could also help boost both countries’ economies and the relations of their peoples to help implement the ASEAN Community, due to start at the end of this year.
The two countries will organise activities to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations later this year. (MCOT online years)
