12-7-2023 (JAKARTA) The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has seen an increase in interest from countries looking to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), according to Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi. Established in 1976, the TAC aims to promote political stability and security in Southeast Asia by regulating peaceful conflict resolution between countries.
During the plenary session of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) held in Jakarta on Tuesday, Marsudi said that they discussed countries’ accession to TAC, hoping that the accession would not only be on paper but also effectively implemented.
Saudi Arabia is one of those countries and is scheduled to sign the TAC on the sidelines of the 56th AMM in Jakarta on Wednesday (July 12th). Serbia’s application for TAC accession was also approved during the plenary session, and the ASEAN secretariat is set to review Algeria’s application.
As this year’s ASEAN chair, Indonesia will also make efforts to have Panama, Spain, and Mexico join the TAC on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in September, according to Marsudi.
ASEAN foreign ministers have also expressed support for the cooperation between the ASEAN secretariat and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Marsudi said that this is an effort to expand the spirit of dialogue, collaboration, and inclusivity to make the Indo-Pacific a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.
During the plenary session, the ASEAN foreign ministers approved South Africa’s application to become a sectoral dialogue partner and, in principle, approved Morocco’s application as well.
Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, said that Timor Leste has participated in 160 ASEAN meetings thus far as part of the nation’s membership roadmap implementation efforts.
Indonesia’s leadership in initiating the ASEAN Maritime Outlook was also lauded during the plenary session, with the outlook set to be released during the ASEAN Maritime Forum in August 2023.
During the plenary session, Marsudi announced Indonesia’s plan to initiate ASEAN Concord IV, which will become ASEAN’s post-2025 vision. The core elements of the concord will be further discussed and planned to be adopted during the 43rd ASEAN Summit.
