A.

THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS

(ASEAN)

THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) is the the

regional organization of South East Asian nations. It was established on 8 August 1967
in Bangkok, Thailand with signing of the Bangkok Declaration by the five original
Member Countries namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Additional Countries who joined later are Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar,
and Cambodia.
ASEAN promotes economic, political and security cooperation among its ten
members. The group has played a central role in Asian economic integration, signing
six free-trade agreements with other regional economies and helping spearhead
negotiations for what could be the world’s largest free trade pact.
The 3 Main Objectives of the ASEAN are as follows:
1. To promote the economic, social and cultural development of the region
through cooperative programs;
2. To safeguard the political and economic stabilityof the region against big power
rivalry; and
3. To serve as a forum for the resolution of intra-regional differences.
The AIMS and PURPOSES of the ASEAN are the following:
1. To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the
region;
2. To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and
the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence
to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

In 2003, the ASEAN Leaders resolved that an ASEAN Community shall be

established comprising three pillars, namely:
1. ASEAN Security Community
2. ASEAN Economic Community
3. ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community
 The following are the FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF ASEAN MEMBER
COUNTRIES in their relations with one another as contained in the Treaty of Amity
and Cooperation in Southest Asia (TAC):
- Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity
and national identity of all nations;
- The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external
interference, subversion and coercion;
- Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;
- Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;
- Renunciation of the threat or use of force; and
- Effective cooperation among themselves.