AKP Phnom Penh, May 15, 2026 --

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to pursuing peaceful solutions to both land and maritime border disputes through negotiation and international law.

Speaking at the celebration of the 19th Cambodian Veterans and Retirees Day (May 12) held at Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Centre in Phnom Penh on Friday, Samdech Thipadei stressed that the Royal Government prioritises diplomacy and peaceful settlement mechanisms while firmly safeguarding Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“No one kneels down and gives land to others. We must defend our territory and protect our people, while sincerely seeking peaceful solutions through negotiations and diplomatic mechanisms,” he underlined.

The Prime Minister emphasised Cambodia’s continued commitment to dialogue on border issues.

“Even if there is only one percent hope for a peaceful settlement, we will continue to pursue it to the fullest extent. I mean one percent possibility for negotiations to continue, not one percent possibility of defeating others,” he stated.

Samdech Thipadei also reiterated Cambodia’s position regarding the maritime dispute settlement process with Thailand following Thailand’s unilateral withdrawal from the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2001 (MoU 2001).

He explained that the MoU 2001 had served as the only bilateral framework for negotiations concerning the overlapping maritime claim area between the two countries.

“If that mechanism had remained in place, negotiations could have continued. But now that the door has been closed unilaterally, Cambodia must resort to the Compulsory Conciliation mechanism under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in order to pursue a dignified and just settlement,” the Prime Minister stressed.

Regarding the land border issue, Samdech Thipadei noted that existing bilateral frameworks, including the MoU 2000 and other agreements and treaties, remain in effect, and Cambodia will continue to work through these mechanisms to seek peaceful resolutions.

By Heng Panha