SFA Locsin participates in historic virtual accession ceremony for Colombia, Cuba, and South Africa to ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. during the signing ceremony for the accession of Colombia, Cuba, and South Africa to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

PASAY CITY 14 November 2020 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. welcomed today the accession of Colombia, Cuba, and South Africa to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and expressed confidence in their future contributions to greater peace and stability in the region. 

H.E. Claudia Blum, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia, noted that her country’s accession stands to consolidate efforts to cooperate with all ASEAN Member States and strengthen political and diplomatic ties with ASEAN. 

H.E. Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, described her country’s accession as honoring the expressed wish for friendship and cooperation by South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela, during his Southeast Asia visit in 1997. 

H.E. Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Cuba, expressed pride for being the first Caribbean country to accede to TAC. He said his country is encouraged by the interest of expanding areas of cooperation with ASEAN. 

The new accessions bring to 43 the number of High Contracting Parties to the peace treaty that was signed on 24 February 1976. END