00:02Finland has deepened its engagement with ASEAN by acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, TAC, in Southeast Asia.
00:11Witnessed by Asian Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Horn, Finland's accession brings the number of high contracting parties to 58.
00:19Finland's accession today is not just a diplomatic formality.
00:23It is a bridge that links Southeast Asia and Europe through shared ideas.
00:29Mutual trust and a common vision for an inclusive and rule-based international order.
00:36It reflects ASEAN's outward-looking spirit, one that welcomes partnerships with like-minded countries who share our aspiration for peace, stability and prosperity.
00:48Speaking on behalf of Malaysia as ASEAN Chair, Mohamed said since its inception in 1976,
00:54the TAC has served as the bedrock of ASEAN's approach to peaceful coexistence, guided by principles of mutual respect, non-interference and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
01:07He said those principles remain deeply relevant today, serving as a moral compass for regional diplomacy.
01:13Finland's foreign minister, Elina Valtunen, reaffirmed her country's commitment to peaceful cooperation and respect for sovereignty, values shared by both ASEAN and Finland.
01:24The TAC is more than a treaty.
01:27It is a testament to ASEAN's role as a stabilizing force in the region and as a champion of multilateralism.
01:37In this time of geopolitical uncertainty, what we need is the promotion of dialogue, trust building, the peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for sovereign equality.
01:51Finland is proud to join this community of nations that believe in diplomacy over discord and cooperation over confrontation.
02:03Valtunen said Finland's accession reflects its broader goal of deepening engagement with Southeast Asia,
02:09particularly in areas such as the circular economy, blue economy, digital transformation and education.
02:16Established in 1976, the TAC is a legally binding code of conduct for interstate relations that promotes peaceful coexistence and friendly cooperation.
02:28Its signatories include major powers such as China, the United States, Russia and the European Union.
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