Algeria, Uruguay Laud ASEAN's Role, Pledge Stronger Ties Via TAC Accession

By Muhammad Faiz Baharin and Samantha Tan

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) -- Algeria and Uruguay have expressed strong appreciation towards Malaysia and ASEAN member states for supporting their accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), describing the move as a significant step towards enhanced multilateral cooperation and global stability.

Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Ahmed Attaf, said the accession to TAC will inject new dynamism into Algeria’s already fruitful bilateral relations with ASEAN countries, while also allowing the country to learn from ASEAN's successful model of regional cooperation and integration.

“We are truly thankful to Malaysia and all ASEAN nations. Joining TAC enables us to broaden and strengthen our ties with friendly countries in the region.

"We are going through difficult times internationally, globally, and we believe that movements of this nature – movements of this magnitude – help stabilise the world order on the basis of the rule of law, respect for the United Nations Charter, and above all, respect for our mutual interests. And this is what ASEAN is all about,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony of TAC, held on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related meetings at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here on Thursday.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

Also present were other ASEAN foreign ministers, including from Timor-Leste, thus signifying the bloc’s collective welcome of the new signatories.

Meanwhile, Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin noted that his visit to Malaysia marked a historic moment as the first by a Uruguayan Foreign Minister, stressing the urgency for Latin America to recalibrate its engagement with ASEAN.

"It's not something that we want; it's because we need it. And we are convinced that ASEAN needs it. We are in a special moment, as today (the world) not all are thinking about the role of multilateralism,” he said. 

He said Uruguay is committed to upholding multilateralism, defending sovereignty, peace, and sustainable development, and working to address issues on environment and climate change.

“It's clever for Asia. It's clever for Africa. But we are not working together like the way we need to work. We need to change and work together,” he said.

He also called for the Global South to unite efforts, knowledge and resources to build a more equitable international order, starting with stronger south-south cooperation through ASEAN-led platforms.

-- BERNAMA