The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on Monday urged Thailand and Cambodia to return to the negotiating table following fires exchange that claimed casualties, China's Xinhua news agency quoted secretary-general of Asean Surin Pitsuwan as saying in a press statement here.Surin said that the deteriorating situation along the Thai-Cambodian border is undermining confidence in Asean and affecting economic recovery, tourism and investment prospect in the region.
"I am deeply concerned about the serious situation on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. This violent conflict must be brought under control and the two parties must return to the negotiating table soonest," said Surin.
The violent conflict started with a gun fire and artillery duels on Friday, Feb 4 near the long disputed site of an ancient Hindu Temple, Preah Vihear.
While the International Court of Justice decided in favour of Cambodia in 1962, the areas adjacent to the Temple remain under dispute.
"I have been in touch with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cambodia, H.E. Hor Namhong, and the Foreign Minister of Thailand, H.E. Kasit Piramya, and I have appealed for calm, maximum restraint on both sides, and expressed my fervent desire to see both sides in a positive exchange as soon as possible," said Surin.
He also called both to allow Asean to help them bring some form of a temporary truce and cool down the emotions and temper so that a higher interest of both peoples and that of Asean can be protected and enhanced.
"The situation has escalated into open conflict. And that will definitely affect our economic development, confidence in our region, tourism and prospect for foreign investment, which have just been picking up in light of the world economic recovery," he said.
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