The 11th ASEAN Summit closed on Monday at the Kuala Lumpur
Convention Center with the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration
on the Establishment of the ASEAN Charter.
In a statement at the ASEAN Summit meeting, Malaysian Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the decision to
draft the ASEAN Charter is not only a historic and significant step
for member states, but also a reaffirmation of their belief and
confidence in ASEAN.
ASEAN member states include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam.
Abdullah said the signing of the ASEAN Charter will mark a new
milestone in ASEAN's development into a mature regional
organization.
The ASEAN Charter will give the grouping a legal standing and
provide the ASEAN Secretary-General and the ASEAN Secretariat in
Jakarta more clout in decision-making.
The ASEAN Charter stresses, among other things, democratic
institutions, transparency and good governance, ASEAN's adherence
to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of
member states, and the need to uphold non-discrimination of any of
the ASEAN countries in the group's external relations.
The charter points towards the ASEAN countries continuing to
prefer non-aggression and exclusive reliance on peaceful means to
settle differences or disputes.
Badawi said that ASEAN is at a crucial juncture since its
creation in 1967. "Internally, we need to take concrete and
determined steps to guide ASEAN towards the realization of an ASEAN
Community. ASEAN's credibility depends on how it manages to shape
this community."
Badawi added: "Externally, ASEAN is faced with the challenge of
seeking ways and means to promote peace and stability in East Asia.
There is also great expectation on the part of the international
community for ASEAN to play a greater role in the affairs of the
region".
The 11th ASEAN Summit is themed "One Vision, One Identity, One
Community".
(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2005)