Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Theresa Lazaro welcomed Finland on its accession to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), making it the third country to join the ASEAN treaty during Malaysia’s Chairmanship in 2025.
In an X post on Saturday, she highlighted the milestone as a reaffirmation of friendship and collaboration among ASEAN member states.
“As we look forward to the 50th anniversary of the TAC next year, we celebrate the spirit of friendship & cooperation among ASEAN Member States & our international partners,” Lazaro wrote.
For her part, Finland Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen reaffirmed her country’s commitment to deepen its long-standing partnership with Malaysia and strengthen engagement with ASEAN member states.
“The TAC is more than just a treaty; it is a testament to ASEAN’s role as a stabilizing force in the region and as a champion of multilateralism,” she said.
She also expressed Finland’s intention to actively support ASEAN’s vision for peace, prosperity, and resilience, viewing the signing as a foundation for stronger cooperation ahead.
Currently, there are a total of 58 states that have signed the ASEAN treaty, after Algeria and Uruguay signed in July.
The TAC permits accession by states from outside Southeast Asia and regional organizations whose members are sovereign states, among others.
