Three countries prepare to join ASEAN’s friendship treaty in Manila
The Southern Cyprus Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia are scheduled to sign accession instruments to ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Manila on 14 November. The Philippine foreign ministry says the additions would bring the number of contracting parties to 65. The treaty establishes principles including sovereignty, non-interference and peaceful settlement of disputes. The ceremony forms part of the 49th ASEAN Summit programme.
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Accession ceremony scheduled in Manila
The Southern Cyprus Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia are scheduled to sign instruments of accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, in Manila on 14 November. Philippine foreign ministry spokesperson for ASEAN affairs Dominic Xavier Imperial confirmed the plan. The Southern Cyprus Republic’s transport minister, Evi Tsolaki, is travelling to the Philippine capital for the signing. The ceremony is part of the 49th ASEAN Summit programme.[1], [2]
Treaty principles govern relations
Adopted in 1976, the treaty establishes principles for relations among ASEAN states and external partners. These include respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes and cooperation. Its original signatories were Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. Imperial said the planned accessions would bring the number of contracting parties to 65. The announcement concerns participation in the treaty rather than membership of ASEAN.[1]
Signing coincides with the fiftieth anniversary
The planned ceremony falls in the treaty’s fiftieth anniversary year, while the Philippines holds the ASEAN chair. Sweden, Poland, Romania and Lithuania joined the treaty in July. The main anniversary event took place on 24 July in Cebu province in the Philippines, alongside the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting and related gatherings. The new accession instruments are scheduled for signing during the November summit programme in Manila. The ministry gave 14 November as the signing date.[1]
