Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Serbia, Panama, Kuwait Ink ASEAN's Amity Pact

Jayanty Nada Shofa
September 4, 2023 | 6:20 pm
SHARE
(From left) Kuwaitian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al Ahmad al Sabah, Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Panamian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Vladimir Franco, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn ink the Treaty and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in Jakarta on September 4, 2023. (Antara Photo/2023 ASEAN Summit Media Center/Dwi Prasetya)
(From left) Kuwaitian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al Ahmad al Sabah, Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Panamian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Vladimir Franco, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn ink the Treaty and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in Jakarta on September 4, 2023. (Antara Photo/2023 ASEAN Summit Media Center/Dwi Prasetya)

Jakarta. ASEAN's amity pact on Monday officially welcomed new members: Serbia, Panama, and Kuwait.

This brings the number of countries who had acceded to ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) to 54 nations. The three nations followed Saudi Arabia which had signed the non-aggression treaty when ASEAN held a ministerial-level meeting in July.

ASEAN in 1976 announced the TAC as a legally binding code for inter-state relations within Southeast Asia and beyond. The Southeast Asian bloc has made several amendments to the treaty to enable other countries outside the region to accede to the pact.

Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said she wanted this amity pact to unite ASEAN to forge practical cooperation against common challenges, including food and energy security. 

Advertisement

“Together, we must serve as a positive force for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Only by fully applying the values and principles of the TAC, we can really ensure that ASEAN matters and becomes an epicentrum of growth,” Retno said at the signing ceremony in Jakarta.

Panamanian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Vladimir Franco said that the signing could pave the way for stronger economic ties with ASEAN. This includes expansion of market access and a boost in exports. He added: “The geographical condition of our Panama Canal. Its economic role, connectivity, and maritime experience make us a strategic partner for ASEAN in terms of cooperation, trade, and logistics.” 

Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic said his country shared similar principles to ASEAN, among others, upholding territorial integrity and avoiding intervening in other states’ domestic affairs.

Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al Ahmad al Sabah also made a similar comment.

“Kuwait’s foreign policy and the TAC’s basic principles align through mutual elements, which includes non-interference of internal affairs, respect for sovereignty, settling all disputes through peaceful means, and rejection of any and all threats of using force,” the Kuwaiti diplomat said.

Read More: Indonesia Urges ASEAN to Enhance Trans-Border Cooperation against Drug Trafficking

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

POPULAR READS


Business 36 minutes ago

Pantai Indah Kapuk Dua to Hold Rights Issue

The price for the new stock issuance has yet to be disclosed but the company said on Tuesday it expected to raise nearly Rp 9.5 trillion.
Special Updates 2 hours ago

KB Bukopin’s Mobile Banking KBstar Records Hundreds New Customers at SMTOWN Live

KB Bukopin recently integrated all its existing digital platforms, namely KB Bukopin Mobile Banking, SMS Banking, and Wokee.
News 2 hours ago

No Need to Fight Over who Should Be Next President: Jokowi ​​​​

The differences in opinions on who should be the next Indonesian president must not lead to cracks in the society, according to Jokowi.
Business 5 hours ago

Pertamina Seeks to Be Market Leader in Indonesia’s Carbon Trading

PNRE is in charge of becoming the trader within the Pertamina Group, according to Nicke as Indonesia launches its carbon exchange.
News 6 hours ago

South Korea Vows to Retaliate Against Any North Korean Provocations 

The show of force comes as concerns grow that North Korea is seeking Russian help in expanding its nuclear arsenal.
COPYRIGHT © 2023 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED