Finland’s TAC Accession Paves Way For Stronger Ties With Malaysia, ASEAN

By Nursyabiha Sukri

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Finland has reaffirmed its commitment to deepen its long-standing partnership with Malaysia and strengthen engagement with ASEAN following its accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) here today.

Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Finland and Malaysia have built close ties over many years through extensive cooperation in various sectors, particularly trade and investment.

“We have a long-standing relationship between Finland and Malaysia, and it is my honour to be here today. It is not a coincidence that we are able to sign the TAC here in Kuala Lumpur,” she said in an interview on Bernama TV’s The Nation programme.

Valtonen said both nations enjoy strong economic and diplomatic relations and are now seeking to elevate their cooperation to new heights.

“I also look forward to Malaysia signing a free trade agreement with the European Union in the near future, which will bring our regions even closer,” she added.

Valtonen described Finland’s accession to the TAC as a significant step in strengthening relations with ASEAN, paving the way for enhanced cooperation and shared efforts toward peace and stability.

“I think this is the best time to do it because what we need is more cooperation between our regions. Finland, as a technologically advanced nation, is also keen to share its expertise and expand trade and investments across this region,” she said.

Valtonen said Finland’s accession to the TAC aligns the country with other European nations that have already done so and reflects a shared commitment to peace, multilateralism and international law.

She added that Finland places strong emphasis on human capital development and lifelong learning.

“In this age of artificial intelligence, we must all retrain throughout our careers to stay relevant, and Finland has many solutions to offer,” she said.

Finland’s accession to the TAC makes it the third country to join the ASEAN treaty during Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025.

This brings the total number of states that signed the ASEAN treaty to 58, after Algeria and Uruguay in July, further reinforcing the bloc’s role as a bridge of cooperation between regions and continents.

Finland, represented by Valtonen, formalised the country’s commitment on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan. Also in attendance were the foreign ministers of ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.

-- BERNAMA