Australia on Saturday signed a non-aggression and non-interference pact in Kuala Lumpur with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after setting aside initial reluctance, clearing its path for joining the East Asia Summit (EAS) next week.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer inked the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation ( TAC) at a ceremony here, ahead of the summit scheduled for the Malaysian capital on Dec. 14.

Downer told a news conference prior to the signing ceremony that Australia did not sign the treaty earlier "because we didn't see it as being consistent" with the country's international relations, particularly those with the United States.

"But we have negotiated an understanding with ASEAN countries to the extent that we feel that we can sign the treaty without disrupting our relationships with countries beyond the region, in particular the United States," he said.

With the signing, Australia will join the 10 ASEAN countries together with China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea at the inaugural East Asia Summit.

ASEAN, a regional group comprising Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, had made it a point that to be eligible for the EAS, a country must be a dialogue partner, has signed the TAC and has substantive relations with the organization.

"We are happy to sign the TAC," Downer said, adding "Australia is delighted to participate in the East Asia Summit."

Downer said there was a "real possibility, although not a certainty" in the next 10 to 20 years that the East Asia Summit would lead to a free trade area spanning from China to India.

On criticism that Australia might be a deputy of the United States in the East Asia Summit and it is not "suitable" to join the summit for geographical considerations, Downer said, "I think we can move beyond that allegation."

Source: Xinhua