Kuala lumpur: ASEAN Foreign Ministers welcomed the growing interest of non-regional countries to accede to the bloc's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ministers welcomed Algeria and Uruguay as new signatories to the TAC, emphasizing that participation must be based on respect for, and adherence to, its purposes and principles.

They reaffirmed the treaty's role as a foundational code of conduct for interstate relations in the region and a cornerstone of regional peace and stability. The ministers stated their commitment to promoting the principles enshrined in the TAC and emphasized the responsibility of all High Contracting Parties (HCPs) to fulfill their treaty obligations in a joint communique following the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

The 58th AMM and related meetings, which began on July 8 under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship with the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', concluded at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

With the recent signing by Algeria and Uruguay, the total number of states party to the ASEAN treaty has reached 57. The ministers expressed anticipation for the second iteration of the Conference of the HCPs to the TAC, scheduled for August at the ASEAN Headquarters, as part of the preparations for the 50th Anniversary of the treaty's signing in 2026.

Additionally, they look forward to the adoption of an ASEAN-sponsored resolution by the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the TAC.