The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will not become a union like the Europe Union (EU) even if it establishes the economic community by 2015, Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo said Monday in Singapore.
"ASEAN, however integrated, will not become a union like the EU. We are too diverse in our history, culture and economic development for this to be possible," Yeo, whose country assumed chairmanship of ASEAN from the Philippines at the end of July, told parliament.
He added that ASEAN leaders have recognized this reality and reached a consensus that the pace of integration should not always be determined by the lowest common denominator or the slowest member.
"Let's move quickly where we can in a practical way. Members who are ready to move first in particular areas should be free to do so, provided the door is left open for others to join when they are ready," said the foreign minister.
The 10-member grouping, established in 1967, strives to build an ASEAN Community by 2015. And it is drafting a ASEAN Charter, a milestone document which hopes to transform the bloc into a more effective rules-based organization.
He said that the drafting of the ASEAN Charter "is at an advanced stage."
The High Level Task Force met last week and will present the final draft to the foreign ministers at the coming meeting at the end of this month in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, according to Yeo.
The Charter will be ready for submission to the leaders attending the Singapore Summit in November.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Source: Xinhua
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