The Challenges of CLMV
Economic Integration
At this time, I would like to discuss the ASEAN
The Challenges of the CLMV Countries and the Role of Development Partner 27
economic integration and highlight some thoughts on policy measures that are required to integrate the CLMV’s economy amidst serious concerns that ASEAN economic integration can be hampered by the development gap that exist between the older ASEAN-six and the four-newer members and offer some recommendation measures to widen the scope of the work plan in order to improve.
On 8th August 1967, five Southeast Asian countries comprising of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand formed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to try to response to the then fragile regional political situation and its function was aimed at for economic, social, and cultural cooperation.
The “Bangkok Declaration”, the document upon which association was founded, displayed ASEAN solidarity against communist expansionism and insurgencies, which described as the common problems among countries of Southeast Asia, as well as to also emphasize the grouping’s determination to ensure their stability and security from external interference in any form or manifestation.
In 1976, the ASEAN Secretariat was established to improve coordination among ASEAN members. In the same year, the grouping’s first formal agreement, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) was signed to enshrine one of ASEAN’s fundamental principles: the non-interference.
Brunei joined ASEAN immediately upon achieving its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. Vietnam was admitted in 1995, even though it was still under a communist system. Laos and Myanmar followed in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999.