ASEAN is among the first agreements on
regional economic co-operation in East Asia. Unlike other regional associations in the world, ASEAN has no supranational authority or responsibility . The ASEAN Secretariat conducts annual meetings to discuss issues concerning the relationship between member countries such as trade,
investment, security, custom, and tourism. ASE AN was form ed on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok with five original members namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore (ASEAN-5). Cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, technical and educational areas is the main objective in the Bangkok declaration. Other objectives include promoting regional peace and stability through respect for justice, the rule of law in the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter. The expansion of ASEAN’s membership is the peak of the gradual rapprochement process between the original ASEAN members and