Charter sets framework for 'One ASEAN'

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-11-20 20:04

The press of ASEAN member states all hailed the birth of the Charter, which one can know from the websites.

"The document marks the notable strides ASEAN has covered in 40 years in maintaining peace through non-violent dispute resolution and non-interference in members' internal affairs," Singapore's leading English newspaper The Straits Times said.

The above principle has been written into the Charter and was followed as it is showed in the November 19 ASEAN Chairman's statement on Myanmar, which reads, "The ASEAN Leaders agreed that ASEAN would respect Myanmar's wishes and make way for Myanmar to deal directly with the UN and the international community on its own. ASEAN stands ready to play a role whenever Myanmar wants it to do so."

What is widely welcomed by media across the globe is that the Charter stipulates that ASEAN will establish a human rights body, which reflects the will of the peoples of ASEAN countries to " adhere to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, respect for and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms" as it is written in the Charter.

A milestone, a landmark document, or anything extremely important in ASEAN's history of 40 years as the press described it, the Charter marks a historic collective leap of ASEAN countries towards ASEAN's goal of "One Vision, One Identity, One Community."

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