Member states' common agreement to respect region-based norms and values
compelled the adoption of a consensus-based approach to decision-making, and
the unconditional acceptance by member states of the 'non-interference' principle
as the key guiding principles of the organization. ASEAN's four decades of
existence reflects the organization's continued adherence to these principles.
Despite constant pressures from the West to jettison them in the name of
progressive regionalism, they have remained intact. ASEAN celebrated its 41st
anniversary in 2007 much to the chagrin of critics which continue to doubt its
relevance.