Overview
The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) was established in 1976 and embodies universal principles of peaceful coexistence and friendly cooperation among States in Southeast Asia. It is a legally-binding code for inter-state relations in the region and beyond. The Treaty has been amended three times, in 1987, 1998, and 2010, respectively, to allow for accession by states outside Southeast Asia as well as for regional organisations whose members are sovereign states, among others. As of October 2024, there are 55 High Contracting Parties to the TAC.
Priority of Cooperation
The following fundamental principles, as stipulated in Article 2 of the Treaty, continue to be important and relevant for ASEAN Community-building process, especially in the conduct of its external relations:
- Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all nations;
- The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion and coercion;
- Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;
- Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful means;
- Renunciation of threats or use of force;
Major Sectoral Bodies/Committees
Requests from applicant countries to accede to the TAC will be first deliberated by ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM). Recommendations from the ASEAN SOM will be submitted to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) for their decision.
