Phnom Penh: A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia said that Thailand’s unilateral withdrawal from the MOU-2001 is a step away from the spirit of cooperation that was the basis for signing the document.
This is according to a statement by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on April 24.
Responding to a question from the media regarding the decision of the Thai National Security Council to withdraw from the Memorandum of Understanding on the Overlapping Maritime Claims of the Seabed Shelf signed between Cambodia and Thailand in 2001 (MOU-2001), the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia emphasized that, as highlighted on April 8, 2026, it would be very regrettable if Thailand decided to withdraw from the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding.
Beyond the technical arrangements, the signing of the MOU-2001 between Cambodia and Thailand reflects the genuine will and common interest of both countries to establish in good faith a framework that both parties can accept for the mutual benefit of resources in the Overlapping Oceanic Area (OCA) while at the same time promoting the delimitation of maritime boundaries in accordance with international law.
Furthermore, the MOU-2001 also represents the goodwill of both countries in their efforts to delimit a maritime boundary in a spirit of friendship, cooperation and shared prosperity.
The spokesperson said, “Thailand’s unilateral withdrawal from the MOU-2001 is a step away from the spirit of cooperation that is the foundation of “For Cambodia, we remain firmly and unwaveringly committed to the letter and spirit of this Memorandum, as well as to the goodwill and sincerity that led to the conclusion of this Memorandum of Understanding in 2001.”
