Finland signs Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in KL, marking milestone in Asean relations
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — Finland has today become the latest country to enter into the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in the South-east Asia (TAC).
The country’s entry to the TAC through the signing of the Instrument of Accession here marks a significant milestone in Finland’s relationship with Asean and its member states, its Minister of Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen said.
“By joining the TAC, Finland reaffirms its unwavering commitment to principles of peaceful cooperation, mutual respect and the sovereign equality of nations, values that lie at the heart of the Asean and Finland’s foreign policies.
“We keep being grateful to Malaysia in its capacity as Asean chair for its hospitality and for the leadership it has shown throughout the entire year.
“Malaysia’s chairmanship has been marked by vision, pragmatism and steadfast dedication to inclusivity and sustainability,” said Valtonen in her opening remarks at the signing ceremony here prior to the 47th Asean Summit that will take place tomorrow at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
She stressed that these are qualities that resonate strongly with Finland’s priorities and commended Malaysia for steering Asean through a complex and evolving global landscape.
“The TAC is more than a treaty, it is a testament to Asean as a stabilising force in the region and as a champion of multilateralism.
“In this time of geopolitical uncertainty, what we need is the promotion of dialogue, trust building, peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for sovereign equality.
“Our accession to the TAC reflects Finland’s broad aspirations to deepen our engagement with South-east Asia, with the immense potential in collaboration in a number of areas of mutual benefit including circular economy, the blue economy, digital transformation and education,” she said.
When met after the signing ceremony, Valtonen expressed Finland’s honour of becoming one of the partners of the South-east Asian nations.
“Finland is truly honoured to now be among partners of the South-east Asian nations and we would like to take this opportunity and also responsibility seriously.
“There is so much we can do especially in education and human capital space, that is certainly something that is the core of what Finland likes to offer because we truly believe in human capital and the empowerment of each and every individual,” she told reporters here.
Asked on Malaysia’s chairmanship, Valtonen commended Malaysia’s efficiency and how much Finland has to learn from it.
“We have been really dazzled by the efficiency and of course, we are learning a lot from this organisation.
“… but I guess we are very much focused on regional stability and prosperity for our people so that’s what we want to learn from each other,” she said.
In a statement by Finland’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, it said that Valtonen while in Kuala Lumpur will meet several ministers of the Asean countries and the Secretary-General of Asean, Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
The meetings will discuss developing relations between Finland and the Asean countries and topical regional and global issues.
