Uzbekistan Eyes July Accession To TAC, Sees Malaysia As Key Gateway
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- Uzbekistan is in the final stages of negotiations to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia and hopes to formalise its accession during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, scheduled for July.
Its ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Karomidin Gadoyev, said Tashkent attaches great importance to the treaty as it would mark a new chapter in Uzbekistan's engagement with all ASEAN member states.
"The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation includes everything — industry, agriculture, tourism, services, banking, everything. The main spheres of cooperation will show the main ways forward," he told Bernama on the sidelines of the HUITM-Umrah Plus International Travel Market Exhibition 2026 held here.
He said cooperation under the framework would subsequently be translated into practical initiatives with individual ASEAN member states.
"And after that, it will be the utilisation of our cooperation with the individual countries," he said.
According to Uzbekistan's Dunyo News Agency, ASEAN member states approved Uzbekistan's accession to the treaty following nearly a year of preparatory work and diplomatic negotiations, with the move expected to facilitate broader government-to-government cooperation as well as stronger trade, economic and investment ties.
The TAC, established in 1976, is regarded as a foundational code of conduct for inter-state relations in Southeast Asia and embodies principles of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and cooperation among its signatories.
As of 2025, there are 58 High Contracting Parties to the TAC.
On economic ties with Malaysia, Gadoyev said Malaysia would serve as Uzbekistan's main bridge to Southeast Asia as Tashkent expands its engagement with the regional bloc.
He said Uzbekistan is also becoming an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investment and currently has nearly 50 joint ventures involving Malaysian companies, with more than 40 projects under implementation.
Explaining further, he said bilateral cooperation spans agricultural processing, oil and petrochemicals, energy, and electrical and electronic industries, among others.
Gadoyev added that Malaysian companies are also in talks with Uzbek authorities on investments in resorts, hotels and modern golf clubs to cater to growing demand for leisure and recreational facilities in the country.
-- BERNAMA
