(ASEAN): Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, and Romania join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia
Kuala Lumpur, July 24 (KUNA) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) announced on Friday the formal accession of Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, and Romania to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, a move it described as reflecting the broadening international acceptance of the principles underpinning the association since 1976.
A joint statement issued by the ASEAN foreign ministers said the accession took place during a commemorative event hosted by the Philippines on the occasion of the treaty’s 50th anniversary, held on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and related meetings in the capital, Manila.
The statement added that the accession documents were signed by Sweden’s Minister for Defence, Paul Jonsson; Poland’s State Assets Minister, Wojciech Błaszczak; Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Kęstutis Budrys; and Romania’s Minister of Education and Research, Mihai Demian. They were present at the ceremony by the Philippines’ Foreign Minister, Maria Teresa Lazaro, who chairs ASEAN this year.
In the statement, ASEAN foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, emphasizing that its principles remain highly relevant five decades after their adoption, particularly regarding mutual respect for the independence and sovereignty of states, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes, refraining from the threat or use of force, and the promotion of effective cooperation among nations.
The ministers clarified that since its signing, the treaty has contributed to consolidating peace, stability, and prosperity in the Southeast Asian region, evolving into a key reference for relations among regional states and their external partners amid growing geopolitical, economic, and security challenges at the international level.
The statement welcomed the continued expansion of the group of non-regional states acceding to the treaty, reflecting growing international confidence in ASEAN’s role in supporting a regional order based on dialogue, international law, and multilateral cooperation.
The list of state parties to the treaty includes several Arab and Gulf countries, among them Kuwait, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to other countries from Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, signed in Bali, Indonesia, in 1976, constitutes one of the most important political and legal foundations of ASEAN. It establishes a code of conduct governing relations among states in the region and underscores principles of respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
ASEAN was established in 1967 and currently comprises 11 member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. (End)
