The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday that Austria expressed interest in acceding to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation during a meeting in Vienna between DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger.
In a statement, Lazaro described the Philippines and Austria as “like-minded partners” sharing a commitment to the rule of law and multilateralism. “Philippines-Austria friendship is reinforced by our cooperation in multilateral fora, supporting each other’s advocacies and candidatures in the United Nations and other international organizations,” she said.
The TAC is a legally binding framework promoting peace, trust, and stability among at least 55 signatories, including major powers such as the United States, China, Japan, France, Canada, the European Union, India, and Russia. As this year’s ASEAN chair, the Philippines will lead celebrations for TAC’s 50th anniversary on July 24.
The Vienna meeting also covered regional and global concerns affecting ASEAN and Europe, bilateral cooperation, and upcoming milestones, including the 80th anniversary of diplomatic ties on Oct. 17, 2026.
The ministers discussed trade, investment, labor, education, life sciences, and artificial intelligence, with Lazaro thanking Austria for supporting an early conclusion of the Philippines-EU Free Trade Agreement.