Geneva: Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, engaged in discussions with key diplomatic figures before the upcoming 22nd Meeting of the Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (22MSP) in Geneva. He met with Caroline-M©lanie Requimbal, Head of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in Geneva, and Ishikawa Tomiko, Japan's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Disarmament Conference, who also chairs the meeting.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Sihasak addressed a pressing issue involving an incident where Thai soldiers encountered a landmine, marking the seventh such occurrence for Thailand. He articulated Thailand's concern over Cambodia's alleged violation of the Ottawa Convention by planting new mines, contrary to Cambodia's claim that the mines are remnants from past conflicts. The ASEAN Observer Mission (AOT) has corroborated Thailand's evidence of new mines, emphasizing the need for a fact-finding mission by neutral and independent experts as per the Ottawa Convention's guidelines.
Mr. Sihasak conveyed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the necessity of swift action to prevent further incidents. In his talks, he explored the mechanisms within the Ottawa Convention and planned to consult with Thai officials to determine the appropriate course of action. This will inform his address at the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.