The ASEAN countries are engaged in a process to transform ASEAN into a real economic community by the end of 2015. Originally built as a political alliance to limit the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, ASEAN gradually became a diplomatic organization to manage regional issues and expand trade with the inclusion of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos and their opening to a market economy.
Having stood on a minimalist “smallest common denominator” approach that emphasized harmonious relations and respect of national sovereignties, ASEAN countries nonetheless also came to greatly develop trade through quite ambitious economic treaties and free-trade agreements for Southeast Asia.
ASEAN leaders have now embarked the Southeast Asian association to the next step of economic development, which will also ultimately bring the Southeast Asian peoples closer. They have engaged since 2007 towards the integration of ASEAN into an ASEAN Economic community based on 4 economic pillars: