APEC and ASEAN concerned over spat between Cambodia and Thailand
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 10 November 2009 2055 hrs

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SINGAPORE: The on-going spat between Cambodia and Thailand is of concern to the ministers at the APEC meetings and ASEAN.

This follows the arrival of former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh on Tuesday to take up his post as the country's economic advisor.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the APEC symposium, Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo said that ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan had called him on the subject two days ago.

Dr Surin had also written to ASEAN foreign ministers urging both parties to find a way to resolve their problems.

Mr Yeo said member countries are concerned about the bilateral issue and hope they would exercise restraint.

He added that ASEAN is happy to accommodate if the countries want to use the grouping's facilities to solve the problem. However, Cambodia and Thailand have yet to make a request.

On the upcoming US-ASEAN meeting, Mr Yeo believes both sides would be discussing about facilitating trade and investments.

- CNA/sc