(VOVworld) - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Monday began hearing final oral arguments in the legal battle between Thailand and Cambodia over the disputed area around the border temple of Preah Vihear. The hearing will last for 7 days before a decision is made in October. Two year ago, Cambodia asked the ICJ to clarify the ownership of the disputed border territory, which was not mentioned in the original 1962 ICJ ruling giving the temple to Cambodia. Thailand is not disputing Cambodia’s ownership of the 900-year-old temple, which has been recognized by the UNESCO, but both Phnom Penh and Bangkok claimed a 4.6 square kilometre area around the old Khmer-Hindu temple. At the court hearing, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said that if the court does not clarify the ownership of the surrounding area, “unwanted consequences” would hinder peace, cooperation, and friendly relations between the two countries. According to Namhong, Preah Vihear Temple is an important symbol of the peaceful relations between Cambodia and Thailand.