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France on Saturday became the first European Union
member-state to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with
Asean.
French Minister Delegate for
European Affairs Catherine Colonna went to Cebu on January 12 and
13 on the occasion of the 12th Summit of the Association of the
Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo,
with whom Colonna had talks, said France’s accession to the treaty
was a step forward that would allow broader engagement and more
opportunities for trade and investment between France and Asean.
“The imperatives of
globalization also compel us to build firmer ties between our
regions,” Romulo said, adding that the signing “reaffirms
France’s vision to open new avenues for the growth of our
relations.”
“We have no doubt that with its
international standing, the example of France will be considered in
capitals around the world,” he said.
“Today’s event is not an end
in itself but the beginning of a cooperation that we would like to
deepen,” said Catherine Colonna, the French minister delegate for
European affairs.
“Our country is one of the
first in Europe trying to develop the dialogue between Europe and
Southeast Asia,” she said.
Colonna represented France in
depositing its instrument of accession to the Treaty of Amity and
Cooperation (TAC) with the Asean.
This instrument of accession was
signed in July 2006. France’s accession to the TAC was announced
by French President Jacques Chirac during his state visit to
Thailand in February 2006. France’s accession shows that it has
particular interest in the region.
The French believe Southeast Asia
is one of the foundations of regional balance and can contribute in
a decisive way to the stability of Asia. France’s policy in
Southeast Asia is focused on two priorities: supporting economic and
political development and strengthening integration in a broader
continent-based unit that will enable humanitarian or economic
crises to be met head-on.
Another country that has agreed
to the TAC on Saturday is East Timor.
East Timor’s Foreign Minister
Jose Luis Guterres signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation on the
sidelines of the annual Asean Summit.
One of the world’s newest
nations, East Timor is hoping to join Asean—whose roughly 560
million people are more than the population of Europe—within the
next few years.
--AFP and The Manila Times
OP-ED staff
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