Saudi inks pact for amity, cooperation with ASEAN

Saudi Arabia became the 51st country to join the growing Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, or TAC, as Indonesia, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, called for regional peace and stability.

The accession of Saudi Arabia to the TAC "reflects Saudi's strong commitment" to abide by ASEAN values and principles as enshrined in the TAC, said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The TAC is a peace treaty signed in 1976 among ASEAN member states. It aims to promote stability and security in the region by creating guidelines for peaceful coexistence and friendly cooperation.

China officially acceded to the TAC in October 2003, becoming the first major extraterritorial country to do so and setting the precedent for other non-ASEAN nations to follow and join the treaty.

Noting that the values and principles of the TAC are even more critical amid current geopolitical dynamics, Marsudi said the bloc welcomes Saudi Arabia to the ASEAN family.

TAC members "must serve as a positive force for peace, stability and prosperity" in the region, said Marsudi, adding that she looks forward to the first summit between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council in October.

During the plenary session of the 56th meeting on Tuesday, members also discussed the increasing number of requests from countries to join the TAC.

The signing of the TAC by Panama, Spain and Mexico is planned to take place at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in September.

Before the signing ceremony, ASEAN foreign ministers met to discuss the crisis in Myanmar, a lingering problem for the region's peace and stability.

Call for dialogue

The bloc came up with a five-point consensus peace plan in April 2021 after the military took power that February. It included a call for an immediate cessation of violence and inclusive political dialogue involving all parties.

Marsudi said it is time to encourage dialogue among all stakeholders as it will pave the way for a political solution, which will eventually lead to durable peace.

Noting that ASEAN is still very concerned about the crisis in Myanmar, she said all members at the meeting supported the importance of beginning dialogue as the next building block to peace.

Leonardus Jegho is a freelance journalist for China Daily.