ASEAN INTEGRATION PROSPECT

 Political Development

-The aspects of the ASEAN Charter dealing with rights and democracy have been largely ignored. In
the Philippines for example, the host country of the recent summit, Duterte’s controversial war on
illegal drugs is a major part of a worrying assault on democracy values across the region.

The Philippines and ASEAN in the War against Drugs

Despite its many controversies, the war against illegal drugs must be fought not only in the
Philippines but also within ASEAN. Drug trafficking and narcotics trade are longstanding
transnational threats that need to be seriously addressed. And since illegal drug operations are
increasingly going beyond a country’s sovereign borders, neighboring states within ASEAN have
to work together to combat them. In this sense, Duterte’s plea at the 2016 ASEAN Summit in
Laos for regional cooperation is an important step in the right direction towards a “drug-free”
ASEAN.
As the Philippines prepares for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2017, it is highly likely that the
Duterte administration will put its advocacy on illegal drugs and transnational crimes on top of
the regional agenda. The country is expected to further elevate its anti-narcotics campaign with
the aim of pushing it beyond its borders in pursuit of a drug-free ASEAN. However, such well-
meaning advocacy at the same time puts the Philippines on the spotlight for its ruthless method
and brutal force in its war on drugs. This may not bode well for a country with a long-held
reputation of having a vibrant democracy with a strong foundation on human rights.
-Timor Leste hopes for Asean Membership
Timor-Leste submitted an application to join ASEAN when Indonesia took its turn as chair of the
group and member countries agreed to undertake the feasibility study. Indonesia is by far the
biggest member of ASEAN.
Timor-Leste’s application to ASEAN membership has been delayed for another round, despite being
geographically located in Southeast Asia. According to Duterte’s full chairman’s statement, issued
after the summit, “Timor-Leste’s application to become an ASEAN Member is still under study by the
relevant senior officials.” He added, “To prepare Timor-Leste for membership in ASEAN, we
reiterated our commitment to provide assistance to Timor-Leste for its capacity-building, in
accordance with the elements and procedures agreed to by the ASEAN Coordinating Council
Working Group (ACCWF) on Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Membership Application.”
 Economic Development
The figures were unveiled by Harish Taparia, Chairman of the Indian Business Chamber in Vietnam
(Incham) at a Vietnam-India Trade Exchange in Hanoi on January 22. He noted the two countries’
business communities have increased investment and trade exchanges, focusing on tea,
pharmaceuticals, information technology, energy, and mining.
First, there is a great deal of optimism for the ASEAN-India partnership. This is underpinned by their
combined market of 1.85 billion people and a collective GDP of $ 5 trillion in 2017, which is expected
to exceed $8 trillion by 2025. Underlying this optimism, there must be recognition that the
partnership’s success requires effective implementation of the ASEAN 2025 Vision and its Action
Plan, including the “Global ASEAN” theme to develop broader strategic and coherent approaches to
external relations.
  Socio-cultural Development
The ministers also welcomed the various activities held in ASEAN member states and in China this
year to celebrate the ASEAN-China Year of Tourism Cooperation to promote people-to-people
exchanges, mutual trust and understanding.

"We noted that the ASEAN-China Year of Tourism Cooperation coincides with the Visit ASEAN@50
campaign, which seeks to promote ASEAN as a single unified travel destination," the ministers said,
adding these mutually reinforcing events will further promote tourism cooperation between the two
sides.

The ministers also noted the signing of the revised Memorandum of Understanding on the
Establishment of the ASEAN-China Center, which will further enhance the role of the ASEAN -China
Center in Beijing in promoting trade, investment, tourism, equation and culture between ASEAN and
China for mutual benefit.

Citations

 Khoo Ying Hooi; http://thediplomat.com/2017/05/asean-at-50-a-new-test-for-democracy-in-

southeast-asia/
 https://thcasean.org/read/articles/328/The-Philippines-War-on-Drugs-Human-Rights-
Concerns-and-Prospects-for-ASEAN retrieved 19 January 2017.
 https://www.talkvietnam.com/2017/03/ban-in-prospect-of-vietnam-asean-india-ties-takes-
centre-stage-at-seminar/ retrieved 2 MARCH 2017
 Shamshad Akhtar; https://www.unescap.org/speeches/remarks-asean-india-forum-2017
 Xinhua; http://africa.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2017-08/07/content_30351832.htm
 http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/t1447375.shtml retrieved 17 March 2017.