Asian organization

Southeast Asia. Regional Organizations. Defense and Security. Important decisions are usually reached through consultation and consensus guided by the principles of noninterference in internal affairs and peaceful resolution of conflicts. Some experts see this approach to decision-making as a chief drawback for the organization.

The original five member nations— Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand—had little in common in their culture, history, or politics. Nevertheless, after a slow start the organization flourished; by it had the fastest growing GNP of all economic groups in the world and was a key force for regional stability. The sixth member, Brunei, joined in January Vietnam was admitted in Myanmar and Laos were admitted in

ASEAN , in full Association of Southeast Asian Nations , international organization established by the governments of Indonesia , Malaysia , the Philippines , Singapore , and Thailand in to accelerate economic growth , social progress, and cultural development and to promote peace and security in Southeast Asia. Brunei joined in , followed by Vietnam in , Laos and Myanmar in , and Cambodia in Held together somewhat tenuously in its early years, ASEAN achieved a new cohesion in the mids following the changed balance of power in Southeast Asia after the end of the Vietnam War. Following its ratification by all 10 member states, the charter entered into force in December ASEAN summit meetings, which have been scheduled to occur semiannually since the adoption of the charter, bring together the heads of state of member countries; there are also annual conferences for foreign ministers.

Its foundation was considered to be a predominantly symbolic step on the path toward an internal market with free movement of goods and capital and freedom of movement for workers. The objective was to achieve this internal market by the end of The establishment of a group of permanent representatives of the ASEAN states in Jakarta is an important step towards more effectively institutionalised cooperation. The German Ambassador to Indonesia fulfils this function for Germany.