61. Given the different levels of development among ASEAN Member Countries, there arises the
need to ensure the deepening and broadening integration of ASEAN is accompanied by technical
and development cooperation to address the development divide and accelerate the economic
integration of the less developed ASEAN Member Countries so that the benefits of ASEAN
integration are shared and enjoyed by all ASEAN Member Countries. This would allow ASEAN
Member Countries to move in a unified manner.