The Expediency Council, a 44-member state arbitration body, has approved Iran’s joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia. Members of the powerful council convened Saturday to discuss the bill that was passed by the Parliament but not ratified by the Guardian Council, Mehr News Agency reported.
Gordian Council, whose duty is to ensure the compatibility of legislation passed by the Majlis with the teachings of Islam and the Constitution, rejected the bill due to some loopholes. Dispute between the Parliament and the Guardian Council over the bill could not be resolved and as per the law the bill was referred to the Expediency Council. TAC is a peace treaty among Southeast Asian countries established by the founding members of ASEAN, a geopolitical and economic organization of 10 countries located in Southeast Asia. According to ASEAN’s website, the purpose of the treaty is to promote perpetual peace, everlasting amity and cooperation among their peoples, which would contribute to their strength, solidarity and closer relationship.
