ASEAN has been encouraging non-Southeast Asian States
to accede to the TAC since ASEAN considers it a key
diplomatic instrument that can help strengthen
regional peace and security. The principles
enshrined in the TAC have been established as a code
of conduct in inter-state relations and in addressing
international/regional issues.
The TAC, signed
in Bali on 24 February 1976, aims to promote peace,
amity, and cooperation in Southeast Asia and the High
Contracting Parties are guided by the following
fundamental principles:
- Mutual
respect for independence, sovereignty, equality,
territorial integrity and national identity of all
nations;
- The right of
every State to lead its national existence free
from external interference, subversion or
coercion;
- Settlement
of differences or disputes by peaceful means;
- Renunciation
of the threat or use of force; and
- Effective
cooperation among themselves.
The TAC was
amended by the Second Protocol in 1998, which provides
that States outside Southeast Asia may accede to the
TAC with the consent of all the States in Southeast
Asia.
Several of
ASEAN’s current Dialogue Partners have acceded to
the TAC, as follows: China and India in 2003; Japan,
Republic of Korea, Russia and Pakistan in 2004;
Australia and New Zealand in 2005; and France and
Timor Leste in January 2007 during the 12th ASEAN
Summit in Cebu, Philippines. In the 40th ASEAN
Ministerial Meeting in the PICC in Manila, Sri Lanka
will accede to the TAC.
To this day,
the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation remains the only
indigenous regional diplomatic instrument that
provides for enhancing relations within the Southeast
Asian region, a mechanism and process for countries
outside the region to establish their association with
ASEAN as a regional group, and a benchmark for the
peaceful settlement of disputes.
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