What the Charter says

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on Aug 8, 1967, in Bangkok by the five original member countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia joined the grouping in subsequent years.

The member countries signed the ASEAN charter in November 2007, hoping to create a political, social and economic community similar to Europe.

All ASEAN members have ratified it since then.