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

Related Articles


Opinion May 29, 2025 | 12:42 pm

The Best Deal with Trump is No Deal

Trump’s portrayal of China, Japan, S. Korea, India, and ASEAN as job thieves is misleading and distorts economic reality.
Business May 27, 2025 | 2:43 pm

ASEAN, Gulf Nations Get Closer as Trade Hits $130.7 Billion

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) wants its trade with ASEAN to reach $180 billion by 2032.
Business May 21, 2025 | 3:20 pm

It Can Be Hard for ASEAN to Set Common Negotiation Plan on US Tariffs

An economist says that each ASEAN member is at a different stage of development, making a common US tariff negotiation plan impossible.
Opinion Apr 7, 2025 | 11:31 am

Unleashing Borneo’s Potential: Will Indonesia Step Up?

Often overlooked, Borneo is ASEAN’s biggest elephant in the room of regional growth.
Business Apr 7, 2025 | 8:11 am

Malaysia’s Anwar, Prabowo Meet over Collective ASEAN Response to Trump Tariff

The US will soon start charging Indonesian imports 32 percent tariffs, while also slapping a 24 percent duty on Malaysian goods.
News Apr 3, 2025 | 2:57 pm

Indonesia Sends $1.2 Million Humanitarian Aid to Quake-Hit Myanmar

Indonesia's 124-ton relief for quake-hit Myanmar mainly encompasses shelters, medical equipment, and medicines.
Lifestyle Mar 21, 2025 | 12:29 pm

Foreign Tourists Prefer Other ASEAN Countries than Indonesia: Association

The number of foreigners visiting Indonesia is even less than half of what fellow ASEAN member Thailand recorded in 2024.
Business Mar 10, 2025 | 1:18 pm

Vietnam's Party Head Wants ASEAN to Be Global Production Hub

Vietnam's party leader To Lam says that ASEAN is also on track to be the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030.
Opinion Jan 30, 2025 | 5:29 pm

Navigating the Stormier Weather

While a second Trump presidency could create global trade disruptions, Indonesia can thrive by strengthening regional partnerships.
News Jan 24, 2025 | 8:31 am

Prabowo to Meet Anwar Ibrahim in Malaysia, Again

This would be the second time for President Prabowo Subianto to meet Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim this month.

The Latest


Lifestyle 2 hours ago

NBA Finals 2025: Thunder Rally Past Pacers Behind Gilgeous-Alexander’s Fourth-Quarter Surge

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 15 in the fourth to lift Thunder past Pacers 111-104, tying the NBA Finals at 2-2 heading to Game 5.
News 2 hours ago

Iran Hits Israel With Missile Salvo Following Assault on Nuclear Sites

Iran fired dozens of missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on its nuclear and military sites, wounding dozens.
Tech 15 hours ago

Indonesia Introduces AI and Coding to 59,000 Schools Nationwide

Indonesia rolls out AI and coding as elective subjects in 59,000 schools, aiming to prepare students for the digital future.
News 16 hours ago

"I Realized I Was Alive": Survivor Speaks After Air India Dreamliner Crash

A lone survivor recounts escaping the Air India crash that killed 241 people. Investigators recover the black box as probe intensifies.
Lifestyle 17 hours ago

Dental Issues Top List in Indonesia’s Mass Health Screenings, Minister Says

Indonesia’s free health check program finds dental issues most common, ahead of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, health minister says.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED