Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia discussed on COVID-19 response and recovery and convening of the 11th Thai-Cambodia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JC) to advance all aspects of cooperation. Thailand also expressed full support for Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022 and the host of ASEM Summit later this year.

On 8 June 2021, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia, on the sidelines of the Special ASEAN - China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations and the 6th Mekong – Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Chongqing, the People’s Republic of China.

Both sides discussed cooperation on the containment of the spread of COVID-19 especially in border areas. They emphasised that local authorities on both sides of the border should continue working closely together to prevent illegal border crossings, which is a main factor leading to the current wave of COVID-19 infections in many countries in the region. They also exchanged views on issues relating to access to COVID-19 vaccines. They expressed hope that all countries will be able to achieve herd immunity as planned so that international travel can resume and tourism-related industries in both Thailand and Cambodia can be revived.

The two Ministers expressed satisfaction that cross-border trade between Thailand and Cambodia has continued uninterrupted despite the pandemic. This was a result of a close working relationship between concerned agencies of the two countries, both in the public and private sectors.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia thanked the Royal Thai Government for taking good care of Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand, especially by providing them with access to healthcare services and the permission to continue working legally in Thailand.

Both sides looked forward to convening the 11th Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JC) between Thailand and Cambodia within this year, which would be a physical meeting if the situation permits, to further advance the close partnership between the two countries.

In addition, the two Ministers discussed regional and international issues, including Cambodia’s hosting of the 13th ASEM Summit in November 2021 and Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship for the year 2022, for which the Thai side expressed full support. Both sides also exchanged views on other regional strategic issues of common interest.