Ukraine joins Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia

The signing ceremony took place during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Phnom Penh, Ukrinform reports with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

"ASEAN is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. It has great opportunities for trade, and the political support of the ASEAN countries is important for countering Russian aggression. Joining the founding agreement of this powerful association will bring concrete benefits to the Ukrainian state, business and citizens," Kuleba emphasized.

The Ministry notes that Ukraine began the process of joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia back in 2017 but the process moved slowly. It was possible to get it off the ground only after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified Asia as one of the priority areas of foreign policy and adopted a comprehensive Asian Strategy in 2020.

"Within the framework of the Asian Strategy, we audited projects that had no progress for a long time, held additional negotiations with partners, and agreed on the Instrument of Accession to the ASEAN fundamental treaty. I am grateful to Cambodia, which currently chairs the Association, for organizing the signing ceremony of this document at the current ASEAN Summit. This step brings our relations with the ASEAN countries to a qualitatively new level," said the foreign minister.

After the agreement enters into force, Ukraine and ASEAN will have a regulatory and legal framework for maintaining regular political, economic, cultural and humanitarian contacts and developing mutually beneficial projects.

Photo credit: press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

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