The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) said that they will work closely with Thai authorities to accelerate mine clearance along the borders of the two countries for the common good of both sides.

Ly Thuch, senior minister and first vice-president of the CMAA, met with Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC) general-director Supathat Narindarabhakdi on December 8 at CMAA headquarters during which both sides committed to strengthening their cooperation to clear mines along the borders.

During the meeting, Thuch told Narindarabhakdi about Cambodia’s vision for mine action, especially the vision put in place by Prime Minister Hun Sen in turning the border to be a region of peace, safety and development and to achieve that, mine clearance is a must.

“CMAA will continue to offer close cooperation with TMAC to accelerate mine clearance along the borders. This cooperation requires the participation of relevant stakeholders such as the army, National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces (NPMEC) and the Cambodia Mine Action Centre (CMAC), all of which will be done for the sake of the mutual interests of the two nations and people of the two countries,” Thuch said.

Thuch added that Cambodia and Thailand have laid out the same vision to clear all mines in their respective countries, with Cambodia committed to make the country land-mine free by 2025, while Thailand has set the same goal for 2026.