ASEAN: Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, and Romania join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia - Sarmad

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) announced on Friday that Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, and Romania had formally acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, a move described as reflecting the broadening international acceptance of the principles underpinning the association since its establishment in 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 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings in the capital, Manila.

The statement added that the accession documents were signed by Swedish Defense Minister Paul Jonsson, Polish State Assets Minister Wojciech Kaczmarek, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, and Romanian Minister of Education and Research Mihai Demian, in the presence of Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro, who is presiding over the ASEAN chairmanship for this year.