History Of ASEAN Integration
Trace The Steps That Led To The ASEAN Integration
The Association of the Southern Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a cooperative group, established on 8 August 1967 by five founding states: Singapore, Malaysia Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. Foreign ministers, signed the ASEAN Declaration at Bangkok, more commonly known as the Bangkok Declaration.
ASEAN aims to promote political stability, economic collaboration and the welfare of their people.
The formation of ASEAN was the first successful attempt at forging regional cooperation. This unique accomplishment marked the end of the decolonization process that began after World War II, ending the separation and aloofness of these regional countries that had resulted from colonial times.
Past events encouraged weak nations to rely more on neighborly mutual support than on stronger states that serve their own national interests. Particularly, Thailand, its experience with SEATO taught that it was risky to place its fate to distant power who may cut loose their ties and obligations at any time.
The initial objective of ASEAN was to assure regional security against widespread communism, political instability and internal conflicts in the Asia Pacific region during the 1960s-1970s. Also, Malaysia and Singapore hope to constrain Indonesia’s ambition on wanting to be the regional leader. For a decade, ASEAN served its purpose solely as a political and security agreement before focusing also on nation building and economic development.
At the beginning of the 1950s, Southeast Asia possessed little unity due to geographical barriers, competitive economies, cultural differences –race, language, and religion- and historical conflicts. Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), an alliance consisting of the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand was formed in 1961, preceded the formation of ASEAN.
On 8th January 1984, ASEAN accepted its sixth member, Brunei, barely a week after gaining its independence on 1st January.
The Association of the Southern Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a cooperative group, established on 8 August 1967 by five founding states: Singapore, Malaysia Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. Foreign ministers, signed the ASEAN Declaration at Bangkok, more commonly known as the Bangkok Declaration.
ASEAN aims to promote political stability, economic collaboration and the welfare of their people.
The formation of ASEAN was the first successful attempt at forging regional cooperation. This unique accomplishment marked the end of the decolonization process that began after World War II, ending the separation and aloofness of these regional countries that had resulted from colonial times.
Past events encouraged weak nations to rely more on neighborly mutual support than on stronger states that serve their own national interests. Particularly, Thailand, its experience with SEATO taught that it was risky to place its fate to distant power who may cut loose their ties and obligations at any time.
The initial objective of ASEAN was to assure regional security against widespread communism, political instability and internal conflicts in the Asia Pacific region during the 1960s-1970s. Also, Malaysia and Singapore hope to constrain Indonesia’s ambition on wanting to be the regional leader. For a decade, ASEAN served its purpose solely as a political and security agreement before focusing also on nation building and economic development.
At the beginning of the 1950s, Southeast Asia possessed little unity due to geographical barriers, competitive economies, cultural differences –race, language, and religion- and historical conflicts. Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), an alliance consisting of the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand was formed in 1961, preceded the formation of ASEAN.
On 8th January 1984, ASEAN accepted its sixth member, Brunei, barely a week after gaining its independence on 1st January.