(Phnom Penh): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation welcomed the appointment of Katrina Cooper as Chairperson of the Conciliation Commission constituted pursuant to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) following an announcement by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, according to a press release seen by Fresh News on Friday (Aug. 14).

“Cambodia is grateful to Katrina Cooper for agreeing to undertake this important responsibility and for joining the other eminent international experts on the Commission. Cambodia also thanks the Conciliators for the rigorous process undertaken to select the Chairperson.”

The ministry said the appointment is an important step in the conciliation process initiated by Cambodia and expressed confidence that the conciliation process will create an opportunity to resolve the differences on the maritime border and develop the significant oil and gas resources in the overlapping claims area.

According to the ministry, progress on both comes at a critical time for regional energy security.

The Royal Government of Cambodia remains fully committed to the peaceful resolution of maritime issues in accordance with international law and will continue to place its trust in the compulsory conciliation process under UNCLOS.

The Conciliation Commission comprises five independent Conciliators. Cambodia has appointed Ambassador Peter Taksøe-Jensen and Professor Jean-Marc Thouvenin, while Thailand has appointed Judges Rudiger Wolfrum and Albert Hoffmann. The four Conciliators appointed Ms Cooper as Chairperson of the Commission, in consultation with the Parties.

With the Conciliation Commission now in place, the process is expected to proceed to its first procedural meeting in the coming weeks.
=FRESH NEWS