Poland Joins ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, Strengthening Ties

Poland has formally acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), marking another step in strengthening its partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The instrument of accession was deposited in Manila on Friday, July 24, as ASEAN commemorated the 50th anniversary of the signing of the TAC. According to the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Manila, the accession forms part of Poland’s efforts to build stronger global partnerships and demonstrates its commitment for deepening engagement with Southeast Asia and ASEAN. The embassy said the instrument of accession was deposited on behalf of Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski by Minister of State Assets Wojciech Balczun. “In today’s world, partnerships are not a luxury, they are essential to our resilience and growth,” the embassy said in a statement. The Polish Embassy also described it as “an honor” to formalize the strengthened relationship under the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship. The TAC is ASEAN’s foundational peace and security treaty, setting out the principles of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and cooperation among its high contracting parties. The Philippines on Friday also commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), while hosting the formal accession of its four newest high contracting parties, Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, and Romania. Poland was among four countries that formally joined the treaty on Friday, bringing the number of TAC high contracting parties to 66. The TAC serves as ASEAN's cornerstone peace and security treaty, setting out the principles and code of conduct that govern relations among states in the region. Speaking at the accession ceremony, the Philippines' Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said the addition of four new high contracting parties demonstrates the “growing international recognition of the treaty’s principles of mutual respect and cooperation.” “As the community of high contracting parties continues to grow, so too does our collective responsibility to uphold these principles in the interest of regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity,” Lazaro said. —KG, GMA News