Thailand and Cambodia today recognised the importance of reducing cross-border airborne pollution by agreeing to establish a joint working group, including the setting up of a hotline for the sharing of information and alerts on the locations of fires.
They agreed to cooperate on emergency responses, capacity building and the sharing of best practices, in areas such as agricultural burning management, as part of efforts to reduce agricultural waste burning during the dry season.
The issue were being discussed between Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and visiting Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, at Government House.
Both countries have also agreed to upgrade their bilateral relations to a “Strategic Partnership”, as they signed five memoranda of understanding at Government House today.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Srettha and Hun Manet.
The MoUs involve cooperation on disaster risk reduction and emergency response, as well as academic, scientific and technological cooperation, the transit of goods and promotion of trade and investment.
The Strategic Partnership will open many new opportunities for both countries to work more closely.
Thailand will open a new Consulate General in Siem Reap, while Cambodia will open a new Consulate General in Songkhla later this year.
During the talks with Hun Manet, Srettha reassured him that it is Thailand’s policy not to allow anyone to use Thailand as a platform to interfere in or conduct harmful activities against neighbouring countries.
Mutual cooperation will be strengthened and both pledged to make their shared border free from landmines.
Regarding tourism, the leaders discussed joining forces to boost the “Six-Countries, One-Destination” campaign, enabling tourists to travel across borders to visit Thailand, Cambodia and other neighbouring nations in one trip.
