Subsequently, the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting (AEM) held in August 2006 in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia, agreed to develop “a single and coherent blueprint for advancing the AEC by identifying the characteristics and elements of the AEC by 2015 consistent with the Bali Concord II with clear targets and timelines for implementation of various measures as well as pre-agreed flexibilities to accommodate the interests of all ASEAN Member Countries.”