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DPRK to sign non-aggression pact with ASEAN

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-21 22:05

SINGAPORE - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Monday said it warmly welcomed the impending accession by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) as a strong signal of the DPRK's commitment to the peace and security of the region.

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In a joint communique of the 41st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, ASEAN foreign ministers said "We noted that the continuing interest in the TAC underscores its important role as a key code of conduct governing inter-state relations in Southeast Asia. We also called upon other countries, particularly our Dialogue Partners and other interested parties, to consider acceding to the TAC,"

The statement said ASEAN will continue to work to facilitate the accession of the EU to the TAC in the near future.

The DPRK is set to sign the TAC with ASEAN on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Singapore this week, a Philippine diplomat said Monday.

"Yes. It's a done deal in this meeting. They'll sign," the diplomat, who asked not to be named,  said. The diplomat said DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun will sign the treaty.

ASEAN has urged the DPRK to accede to the treaty, which was previously signed by China, Japan, Russia and France. The TAC, a regional code of conduct, encourages peaceful resolution of regional conflicts.

The TAC has been adopted by 24 countries including 10 ASEAN nations -- Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia. The treaty was also adopted by Japan, China, South Korea, Russia, France, Australia, India, Pakistan, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Mongolia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.