The Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok by the five original member countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined on January 8, 1984; Viet Nam on July 28, 1995; Laos and Myanmar on July 23, 1997; and Cambodia on April 30, 1999.

The ASEAN Declaration states that the aims and purposes of the association are: (1) to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and (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.

The ASEAN Vision 2020, adopted by the ASEAN leaders on the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN, agreed on a shared vision of ASEAN as a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership for dynamic development and in a community of caring societies.

In 2003, the ASEAN leaders resolved that an ASEAN Community shall be established comprising three pillars, namely, ASEAN Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

ASEAN member countries have adopted the following fundamental principles in their relations with one another, as contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia:

-- 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 or coercion;

-- non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;

-- settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;

-- l renunciation of the threat or use of force; and

-- effective cooperation among themselves.