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REMARKS Y.B. DATO’ SERI UTAMA HAJI MOHAMAD BIN HAJI HASAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA ON THE OCCASION OF THE SIGNING OF THE INSTRUMENTS OF ACCESSION TO THE TREATY OF AMITY AND COOPERATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA BY FINLAND

 

REMARKS

 

Y.B. DATO’ SERI UTAMA HAJI MOHAMAD BIN HAJI HASAN

 MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA

 

ON THE OCCASION OF THE SIGNING OF THE

INSTRUMENTS OF ACCESSION TO

THE TREATY OF AMITY AND COOPERATION IN

SOUTHEAST ASIA BY FINLAND

 

25 OCTOBER 2025

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Her Excellency Elina Valtonen,

Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland,

 

Excellencies ASEAN Colleagues,

 

Secretary-General of ASEAN,

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

1. It is a great privilege to gather here today, for what is truly a meaningful occasion – the formal signing of Finland’s accession, to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, or TAC.

2. On behalf of Malaysia, and as Chair of ASEAN, I warmly welcome Her Excellency Elina Valtonen, to Kuala Lumpur.

3. Your presence here, Excellency, is a clear testament to Finland’s commitment to peace, dialogue, and cooperation. Values that lie at the very heart of the TAC.

4. Since its inception in 1976, the TAC has been the bedrock of ASEAN’s approach to peaceful coexistence, guided by principles of mutual respect, non-interference, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

5. Nearly five decades later, its principles remain as relevant as ever. Providing clarity in an increasingly complex world. The TAC is a moral compass that continues to guide us toward diplomacy and peace.

6. Finland’s accession today is not just a diplomatic formality. It is a bridge, that links Southeast Asia and Europe through shared ideals, mutual trust, and a common vision for an inclusive and rules-based international order.

7. It reflects ASEAN’s outward-looking spirit. One that welcomes partnerships with like-minded countries, who share our aspirations for peace, stability, and prosperity.

8. Finland brings to this partnership a wealth of experience, shaped by its history, strong institutions, and global reputation for innovation, sustainability, and resilience.

9. Together, ASEAN and Finland can unlock immense opportunities. From advancing digital transformation and sustainable development, to strengthening maritime cooperation and people-to-people ties.

10. Such collaboration will not only enrich our partnership, but also extend ASEAN’s community-building efforts beyond Southeast Asia, linking our aspirations with those of Europe and the wider world.

11. As Chair of ASEAN, Malaysia reaffirms our strong support for this growing partnership, and our commitment to ensuring that the TAC continues to serve as a foundation, for meaningful cooperation and constructive dialogue.

12. On this special occasion, Malaysia and all Member States, are delighted to welcome Finland into our family of partners under the TAC, in the enduring spirit of goodwill, inclusivity, mutual respect, and lasting friendship.

Thank you.


10/25/25

LIST OF CONVENTIONS / TREATIES THAT HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED INTO BAHASA MELAYU

Ratified by Malaysia

1. Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW
   
2. Convention on the Rights of the Child, CRC
 
2.1 Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostiitution and child pornography
2.2 Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict ; and
   
3. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, CRPD 
   
4. Geneva Convention
 
4.1 Geneva Convention For The Amelioration Of The Condition Of The Wounded And Sick In Armed Forces In The Field Of 12 August 1949
4.2 Geneva Convention For The Amelioration Of The Condition Of Wounded, Sick And Shipwrecked Members Of Armed Forces At Sea Of 12 August 1949
4.3 Geneva Convention Relative To The Treatment Of Prisoners Of War Of 12 August 1949
4.4 Geneva Convention Relative To The Protection Of Civilian Persons In Time Of War Of 12 August 1949
   

Yet to ratify

5. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 
   
6. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW 
   
7. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure
   
8. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment – CAT
 
8.1 Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
   
9. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - ICCPR
 
9.1 Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: and
9.2 Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of death penalty
   
10. International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - ICERD
   
11. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - ICESR
 
11.1 Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
   
12. International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance - ICPED
   
13. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families - ICRMW
   
14. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1951;
 
14.1 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1967
   
15. Rome Statute
   

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