‘Rules-based’ alliance thrives

Four European Union countries signed the 50-year-old Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia on Friday, giving the country stronger leverage amid increasing hostility with China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Ironically, China is a signatory to the treaty that commits member states to enhance peace, dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation amid ongoing global disputes.

Sweden, Poland, Romania, and Lithuania formally acceded to the TAC during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Pasay City, expanding the pact’s roster to 62 High Contracting Parties as it marks its golden anniversary.

The accessions came as Beijing continues to reject the 2016 arbitral ruling handed down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague which invalidated China’s expansive nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea and affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign right within its exclusive economic zone.

China has consistently dismissed the ruling as “null and void,” refusing to recognize either the tribunal’s jurisdiction or its findings, a position it has maintained even as the Philippines continues to cite the decision as the legal bedrock of its position in the WPS conflict.

The TAC membership will be a diplomatic counterweight as the pact reinforces the principle that disputes among states should be settled through peaceful means and dialogue rather than unilateral assertions of power, implicitly reaffirming the rules-based order that the 2016 arbitral ruling was meant to uphold.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, who received the instruments of accession from her Swedish, Polish, Romanian, and Lithuanian counterparts, said the expanded roster of signatories signals broader international backing for a region increasingly tested by Beijing’s assertiveness.

The development occurred during activities marking the 50th anniversary of the treaty, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hosting a gala dinner for ASEAN foreign ministers and treaty parties.

The new signatories came during the final day of the four-day ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meetings hosted by Manila.

Created in 1976, the TAC is a legally binding regional peace agreement originally signed by the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, the five founding members.

It was designed to promote peace, security, non-aggression, and cooperation among Southeast Asian nations amid global fragility and uncertainty five decades ago.

Countries that are a party to the TAC include China, Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, the United States, Brazil, Peru, Germany, Türkiye, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt and Morocco.

Defense Minister Pal Jonson stated that Sweden’s accession reflects its strong support for ASEAN, recognized as a vital contributor to regional stability and prosperity.

Jonson said that Sweden seeks a deeper engagement with ASEAN in areas of trade, security, green and digital transition, science and technology.

Warsaw focusing

on economic deal

Meanwhile, Poland committed to offering its expertise in economic transformation, digitalization, and energy transition, along with its experience in managing complex security and hybrid threats.

Poland aims to become the 20th-largest economy worldwide by nominal GDP, surpassing $1 trillion with a 3.6-percent growth rate.

The country is currently investing over $300 billion in nuclear energy, renewables, and infrastructure to bolster resilience and create cooperation opportunities with ASEAN partners.

“I can confirm that Polish companies stand ready to make a meaningful contribution across different sectors, from defense, mining, advanced mineral processing, cyber security, and food security,” said Wojciech Balzcun, Poland’s Minister of State Assets, during the signing ceremony.

Romania also announced plans to deepen its partnership with ASEAN, focusing on higher education, digital skills, cybersecurity, research, and innovation.

Romanian Minister of Education and Research Mihai Dimian stressed the importance of connecting universities, supporting academic mobility, enhancing research cooperation, and preparing young people for a rapidly changing tech-driven world.

Finally, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys pledged to uphold and share ASEAN’s commitment to international law, sovereignty, and peaceful dispute resolution, free from external pressure.

“We firmly support the rejection of threat or use of force. Our accession to the Treaty is fully in line with Lithuania’s Indo-Pacific strategy, which identifies ASEAN as a key partner for a secure, resilient, and prosperous future,” he said.

Lithuania considers ASEAN a significant global economic partner and is committed to building practical, mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as trade, science, energy security, digital services, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure.