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Cambodia and Thailand on Monday vowed to maintain peace and stability along the border regardless of the upcoming verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case concerning the disputed land around Preah Vihear Temple, a spokesman said.
The commitment came after a meeting between Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and his Thai counterpart Surapong Tovichakchaikul in Cambodia's Poipet City on the border with Thailand.
"Both sides agreed to comply with the upcoming ICJ's decision in the spirit of friendship, brotherhood, and neighboring countries," Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Xinhua over telephone after the meeting.
"Whatever the ICJ's verdict is, the two sides agreed to maintain and further enhance good ties in order to build a border of peace, stability and cooperation," he added.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said last Friday that the country would continue to maintain safety, security and peace along the Cambodia-Thailand border at any cost.
"Whatever the ICJ's decision on Nov. 11 is, whether it will be in favor of Cambodia or Thailand, the two governments-Cambodia and Thailand-still stick to the stance of good friendship and cooperation between the two governments, the two armies, and the two peoples," the premier spoke to armed forces along the border via a video conference at the weekly Cabinet meeting.
The ICJ would issue a verdict on the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand over a 4.6 square-km land near Preah Vihear temple on Nov. 11.
Preah Vihear, a Hindu temple, is located on the top of a 525- meter cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, bordering Thailand.
The ICJ awarded Cambodia the temple and its vicinity on June 15, 1962, but Thailand claimed the ownership of the 4.6 square-km of scrub next to the temple in 2008.
The 11th century temple had been a flashpoint of armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops since July 2008 when the UNESCO listed it as a world heritage site.
Cambodia brought the case of the disputed land to the ICJ in April 2011.
