The ASEAN Political-Security Community has its genesis of over four decades of close co-operation
and solidarity. The ASEAN Heads of States/Governments, at their Summit in Kuala Lumpur in December
1997 envisioned a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, living in peace, stability and
prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a community of caring
societies.
2. To concretise the ASEAN Vision 2020, the ASEAN Heads of States/Governments adopted the Declaration
of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II) in 2003, which establishes an ASEAN Community by 2020. The
ASEAN Community consists of three pillars, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC),
the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).
3. Conscious that the strengthening of ASEAN integration through accelerated establishment of an ASEAN
Community will reinforce ASEAN’s centrality and role as the driving force in charting the evolving regional
architecture, the ASEAN Leaders at the 12th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines decided to accelerate the
establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015.
4. At the 13th ASEAN Summit in Singapore, the ASEAN Heads of States/Governments signed the ASEAN
Charter, which marked ASEAN Member States’ commitment in intensifying community-building through
enhanced regional cooperation and integration. In line with this, they tasked their Ministers and officials
to draft the APSC Blueprint, which would be adopted at the 14th ASEAN Summit.
5. The APSC Blueprint is guided by the ASEAN Charter and the principles and purposes contained therein.
The APSC Blueprint builds on the ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action, the Vientiane Action
Programme (VAP), as well as relevant decisions by various ASEAN Sectoral Bodies. The ASEAN Security
Community Plan of Action is a principled document, laying out the activities needed to realise the
objectives of the ASEAN Political Security Community, while the VAP lays out the measures necessary
for 2004-2010. Both documents are important references in continuing political and security cooperation.
The APSC Blueprint provides a roadmap and timetable to establish the APSC by 2015. The APSC
Blueprint would also have the flexibility to continue programmes/activities beyond 2015 in order to retain
its significance and have an enduring quality.
II. CHARACTERISTICS AND ELEMENTS OF