Photo: Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean has emerged as a trusted platform by global superpowers and many countries are “queuing” up to sign up as partners to the Southeast Asian regional group, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The Foreign Minister also said too many countries want to be a partner of Asean by acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation of Southeast Asia (TAC) and the government had to put a moratorium on it.
“Asean has gotten the trust of global superpowers where we are known as a region of peace and good economic growth
“Many countries as mentioned are lining up to sign the TAC, the first step of being a partner to Asean,” said Mohamad during an exit press conference after the Asean Foreign Ministers (AMM) on Friday (July 11).
“So, now, there is a moratorium, so that we don’t take new partners as dialogue partners,” added Mohamad.
But, Mohamad said Asean is giving an exception to one or two countries to be a partner to the regional group.
“Some dialogue partners can bring added value to Asean. So, we are not too rigid in our moratorium,” added Mohamad.
Mohamad also said 21 meetings involving Asean and its external partners had been held during the AMM meeting that took place from July 8 to 11.
“That is why I am so tired now,” quipped Mohamad.
Mohamad also said that on July 9, Algeria and Uruguay officially acceded to the TAC, marking their formal commitment to principles of peaceful cooperation and regional harmony.
“As of now, 57 countries have become parties to the TAC,” added Mohamad.
Mohamad said that separately, he had 15 bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, Palestine, the Philippines, Switzerland, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, US and Uruguay.
“During all these meetings, we discussed strengthening bilateral relations and international issues of common concern,” added Mohamad.
Meanwhile, Mohamad stressed the importance of maintaining neutrality as a trading nation.
“Our economy is based on trade. We cannot be seen as leaning to anybody. The United States has the largest investment, and China has been our largest trading partner for many years.
“So, we have to navigate our foreign policy so that we are not to be seen as leaning to anyone,” added Mohamad.
On the tariff issue, Mohamad said the US prefers to hold negotiations separately with countries, and not as a group.
“Each country must negotiate for themselves. The US seems more comfortable negotiating this way.
“We hope we will be able to negotiate well and decide on it fast,” added Mohamad.
The 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits will take place from October 26 to 28.
