KUALA LUMPUR, June 20. /Dunyo IA/. Uzbekistan intends to officially formalize its participation in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia at the ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting scheduled for July in Manila, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing Malaysia’s official news agency Bernama.

The Ambassador of Uzbekistan Karomidin Gadoev stated that Tashkent attaches great importance to this step, as it will open a new chapter in Uzbekistan’s relations with all ASEAN member states.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the international tourism exhibition “HUITM Umra Plus 2026” in Kuala Lumpur, the diplomat emphasized that the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation creates broad opportunities for economic engagement in sectors such as industry, agriculture, tourism, services, and banking.

It is noted that under the agreement, cooperation is expected to be transformed into practical initiatives and joint projects with individual ASEAN countries.

The treaty, signed in 1976, is considered the main code of interstate relations in Southeast Asia and enshrines principles of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and cooperation. As of 2025, 58 countries have acceded to it.

In the economic context, Malaysia is described as a key bridge for Uzbekistan to Southeast Asia. Around 50 joint ventures involving Malaysian capital are already operating in the country, with more than 40 projects currently being implemented.

Cooperation covers agricultural processing, oil and gas and petrochemical industries, energy, electrical engineering, and electronics.

Negotiations are also underway with Malaysian companies on investments in hotel infrastructure and modern golf clubs to support the development of Uzbekistan’s tourism sector.