Kuala lumpur: The successful hosting of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings proves that ASEAN is respected and continues to enjoy the trust of major global powers. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said ASEAN is also increasingly recognised as a peaceful region with a strong and growing economy.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad highlighted that many countries are eager to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), which is the preliminary step to becoming ASEAN partners. ASEAN, which began with five member countries, now includes 10, and with Timor-Leste's admission in October, it will grow to 11. Many countries are also showing interest in becoming ASEAN's sectoral and dialogue partners.

Mohamad elaborated that despite ASEAN's current moratorium on new dialogue partners, the organization is open to considering applications from countries that would bring significant value as dialogue partners.

The AMM in Kuala Lumpur featured 21 meetings involving ASEAN and its external partners. Mohamad also conducted 15 bilateral meetings with representatives from countries including Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, and others, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing international concerns.

Regarding Timor-Leste's upcoming membership, Mohamad mentioned that ASEAN foreign ministers are working on procedural steps and have adopted guidelines to facilitate Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN legal instruments.

The AMM approved the applications of Cyprus, Italy, and Sweden to accede to the TAC, while applications from Belgium, Croatia, and Lithuania are under assessment. The TAC remains a fundamental instrument for inter-state relations and promoting regional peace in Southeast Asia.

Recently, Algeria and Uruguay acceded to the TAC, reinforcing their commitment to peaceful cooperation and regional harmony. To date, 57 countries have become parties to the TAC.