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ASEAN adopts SEANWFZ addendum, backs Timor-Leste accession and Myanmar proposal

ASEAN adopts SEANWFZ addendum, backs Timor-Leste accession and Myanmar proposal

By HIDAYATH HISHAM
ASEAN foreign ministers have adopted the draft addendum to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), following its finalisation by the SEANWFZ Executive Committee on April 29, 2025.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) said in a statement that the addendum was endorsed during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) held in Kuala Lumpur, chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
'During the Meeting, the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and Timor-Leste reaffirmed their collective commitment to regional peace, stability, and prosperity in the face of intensifying geopolitical and economic challenges,' Wisma Putra said.
The ministry said the addendum will serve as a legal basis for ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste to begin domestic procedures for accession to the treaty.
The meeting also adopted the Guidelines to Facilitate Timor-Leste's Accession to ASEAN Legal Instruments and Agreements, further strengthening the country's path to full membership.
On Myanmar, the ministry said Malaysia proposed extending and expanding ceasefires beyond currently affected zones to support implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.
It said the proposal also called for creating a safe environment for humanitarian aid and facilitating post-conflict recovery efforts.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and exchanged views on key regional and global issues impacting Southeast Asia.
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