Cyprus, Slovakia and Slovenia formally joined the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia on Saturday, bringing the total number of High Contracting Parties to 65 as the pact marks its 50th anniversary.
The accession ceremony took place in Manila ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits running from November 15 to 17, according to reporting by the Inquirer.
“Our experience this year has reaffirmed that regional cooperation cannot be measured solely by the meetings we convene or the documents that we adopt,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said.
The accession documents were officially endorsed by Evanthia Tsolaki, Cyprus’ Minister of Transport, Communications and Works; Juraj Blanár, Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs; and Tone Kajzer, Slovenia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs.
Did You Know? The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia was originally signed on February 24, 1976, in Bali, Indonesia, by five founding members: the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
The three newest European signatories join Sweden, Poland, Romania and Lithuania, which completed their accessions during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila in July. This brings the total number of European states joining the treaty under the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship to seven.
All seven participating European nations are members of the European Union, while six also hold NATO alliance status.
Tsolaki said that her country’s accession reflects a dedication to regional partnerships in Asia. “Cyprus’ accession reflects a strong commitment to its relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and with Asia as a whole,” Tsolaki said.
Expert Insight: Originally designed as a local confidence-building framework, the accord has developed into a premier diplomatic tool for ASEAN.
Joining the TAC is generally seen as an essential stepping stone for nations pursuing closer institutional ties with ASEAN, such as obtaining sectoral, development or dialogue partner designations.
Representatives from the incoming European countries emphasized an endorsement of the principles that have guided the regional bloc and a commitment to ASEAN. These principles include mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the renunciation of the threat or use of force.
Blanár framed Slovakia’s signature as a deliberate diplomatic alignment. “For Slovakia, accession to the Treaty is more than a formal act. It is a clear expression of our support for Asean centrality and for Asean’s indispensable role in promoting peace, stability, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific,” Blanár told attendees.
Kajzer highlighted Slovenia’s alignment with the agreement’s long-term objectives. “Slovenia’s accession to the Treaty reflects our strong commitment to its core purposes and principles,” Kajzer said.
Accession to the treaty functions as a practical prerequisite for countries outside Southeast Asia seeking deeper institutional engagement with ASEAN, including sectoral, development, and dialogue partnership statuses.
The treaty was signed on February 24, 1976, in Bali, Indonesia, by the five founding member states of ASEAN.
Seven European states joined the pact during the Philippines’ ASEAN chairship, consisting of Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Poland, Romania, and Lithuania.
The recent accessions by Cyprus, Slovakia, and Slovenia brought the total number of High Contracting Parties to 65.