MANILA: Sweden, Poland, Romania and Lithuania were accepted on Tuesday (July 21) as the newest members of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), further expanding international support for Asean's principles of peace and regional cooperation.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the four countries are scheduled to formally sign their instruments of accession on Friday (July 24) during a ceremony marking TAC’s 50th anniversary.
He said the decision to admit the four nations was made during the plenary session of the 59th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), the Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC) and related meetings held at the Philippine International Convention Centre on Tuesday.
Mohamad added that the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta is currently processing numerous applications from other countries seeking to accede to the treaty before submitting them to Asean member states for consideration.
"This development reflects the international community's confidence in Asean as a peaceful regional bloc. Many countries wish to join hands with Asean in preserving peace and stability in the region through stronger cooperation," he told Bernama after attending the 59th AMM plenary session.
Established in 1976, the TAC serves as a key code of conduct governing relations among states in Southeast Asia, promoting the principles of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, non-interference and cooperation among its signatories.
As of 2025, the treaty has 58 High Contracting Parties, including all 11 Asean member states.
Countries outside Southeast Asia that have acceded to the TAC include Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the United States, Brazil, Peru, Germany, Türkiye, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt and Morocco.
The 59th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings are being held under the Philippines' Asean Chairmanship this year with the theme "Navigating Our Future, Together”. – Bernama
