ASEAN member states approve Serbia's accession request

JAKARTA - Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states on Wednesday unanimously approved Serbia's request to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, the Serbian government's press office announced in a statement.

The decision was made at the 56th plenary meeting of ASEAN FMs in Jakarta, which ended on Wednesday.

Established in 1976, the Treaty aims to create political stability and security in Southeast Asia while ensuring peaceful resolution of disputes between countries, the statement said.

Accession to the Treaty opens up possibilities for the Republic of Serbia to engage in closer dialogue, cooperation and involvement in various ASEAN networks and platforms, while additionally helping to promote substantial cooperation with the bloc in economic and socio-cultural areas.

The most important fields of cooperation between ASEAN and signatories to the Treaty include economic cooperation, education and development of inter-human contacts, science, technology, innovation and sustainable development, and ASEAN also develops cooperation with individual countries in other specific areas.

That includes participation in meetings, dialogue and ASEAN initiatives, which can contribute to diplomatic, economic and cultural exchange, the statement also said.

By committing to the principles of the Treaty, such as respect of independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and the national identities of all peoples, non-interference in internal affairs of other states and peaceful resolution of disputes, the Republic of Serbia will prove its fundamental commitment to peace, stability, international law and multilateralism through another legally-binding mechanism, the statement said.

In 2013, Serbia submitted a formal request to accede to the Treaty, and unequivocal support from all ten ASEAN member states was secured through diplomatic efforts.