The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stressed in the ASEAN
Charter adopted in Singapore today that ASEAN member states shall have equal
rights and obligations under the Charter.
The Charter, which transforms the ASEAN into a rules-based legal entity like
the European Union, was signed by the bloc's 10 leaders today.
Under the Charter, the member states of ASEAN are Brunei, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam.
The Charter says the ASEAN member states shall take all necessary measures,
including the enactment of appropriate domestic legislation, to effectively
implement the provisions of the Charter and to comply with all obligations of
membership.
However, the Charter does not mention penalty measures to errant members,
only saying serious breach of the Charter shall be referred to the ASEAN summit
for decision.
The Charter says the admission to ASEAN will be prescribed by the ASEAN
Coordinating Council and based on the following criteria:
-- location in the recognized geographical region of Southeast Asia;
-- recognition by all ASEAN member states;
-- agreement to be bound and to abide by the Charter; and
-- ability and willingness to carry out the obligations of membership
As a regional cooperation group, ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
