Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has expressed support for the appointment of Katrina Cooper as chairperson of the Conciliation Commission established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The announcement followed a statement from the Permanent Court of Arbitration confirming that the four conciliators had selected Cooper to lead the commission.
In its statement, the ministry thanked Cooper for taking on the role and acknowledged the other international experts serving on the commission. It also praised the conciliators for conducting a thorough selection process.
The ministry described the appointment as a significant milestone in the conciliation process initiated by Cambodia. It expressed confidence that the proceedings would help resolve differences over the maritime boundary and support the development of oil and gas resources in the overlapping claims area. The ministry noted that progress on these matters comes at a critical time for regional energy security.
The Royal Government of Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to peacefully resolving maritime issues under international law and its trust in the compulsory conciliation process under UNCLOS.
The commission consists of independent conciliators appointed by the parties. Cambodia appointed Ambassador Peter Taksøe-Jensen and Professor Jean-Marc Thouvenin, while Thailand appointed Judges Rüdiger Wolfrum and Albert Hoffmann. The four conciliators then appointed Cooper as chairperson in consultation with the parties.
With the commission now constituted, the process is expected to move to its first procedural meeting in the coming weeks.
Source: Khmer Times
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