PHNOM PENH: Cambodian and Thai demining teams are set to review a trial demining area within a priority zone along the border between Banteay Meanchey province and the neighbouring Thai province of Sa Kaeo.
Maly Socheata, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence said the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Coordinating Task Force (JCTF) on Friday (Nov 7) instructed the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and the Thai Mine Action Center (TMAC) to arrange a technical meeting to assess the pilot area.
He explained that the zone will span Banteay Meanchey’s Ou Bei Choan commune, in Ou Chrov district, and Sa Kaeo province’s Nonmak Moon commune, in Khok Song district.
The plans are in accordance with a decision made during an Oct 31 JCTF meeting, he added.
The meeting will be monitored by the Aeean Observer Team (AOT). According to Socheata, the work will be implemented in compliance with the principles and Standard Operating Procedures agreed upon by the JCTF.
“It should be noted that this humanitarian demining operation shall strictly adhere to the principles of protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity and be based on the spirit of mutual respect,” she said. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
