In the Asia-Pacific region there are trade and economic organizations of regional and subregional levels. To the latter belong ASEAN- Association of Southeast Asian countries. It was from this organization that the integration process in the APR began and it was in it that the most dynamic new industrial countries of Asia were combined.

ASEAN includes: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines (1967), Brunei (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos (1997). Cambodia (1998).

The centripetal forces of Asian integration are: a strategically important geographical location at the intersection of world trade routes, the transition to a liberal model for building a market economy, which implies foreign capital tolerance and exportation of the restructured economy.

The centrifugal forces inhibiting integration include differences in the development of the economy, political structure, religious and cultural traditions, as well as the island scattering of states.

The integration process within the ASEAN includes:

  • in accordance with the agreement on the establishment of the preferential trade zone (1977), the provision of trade benefits to participating countries;
  • in accordance with ASEAN Free Trade Arrangement (Asean Free Trade Arrangement) - the creation of a free trade zone. The agreement entered into force with
    January 1, 2002;
  • industrial cooperation schemes ASEAN;
  • in accordance with the Framework Agreement on the Investment Area ASEAN (AIA) liberalization of capital movement.

After the financial crisis of 1997-1998. ASEAN countries make an emphasis on attracting (non-abstract) direct investment. By 2010, it is planned to provide foreign investors in the national regime of the host country. Already, the concept of economic growth triangles (Singapore, 1989) has already received practical development. This refers to the development of cross-border trade and economic relations between the three neighboring countries. Such "triangles" have a more liberal regime for the transboundary movement of all production factors and a pronounced export orientation. For example, a "platinum triangle", the parties of which are held along the Mekong River from the south of China through Cambodia and Vietnam.

In the 1970s. The system of so-called ASEAN dialogues with leading states of the world was originated primarily in the APR. Full-scale dialogue partners are 9 countries (Australia, India, Canada, China, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, USA, Japan), and also UNDP. The dialogue interaction is carried out with the help of joint cooperation committees (SCS). Such a partnership served as the basis for creating a mechanism of in-depth interaction of ASEAN with the Eastern Troika (China, Japan, South Korea) in 10 + 3 format, which was formalized in 2000 and provides for the conduct of summits in the format of Thirteen and 10 + 1 in parallel With ASEAN meetings.

In December 2005, the first summit of Russia and ASEAN (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) took place. During the meeting, two large-scale documents were signed at once: a declaration on the comprehensive partnership of Russia and ASEAN member countries and a comprehensive program of action to cooperate 2005-2015. It is planned to mutually expand the relations in the field of economics, policies, security (the struggle against terrorism), scientific and technical and information cooperation, interaction in the field of tourism and culture. In particular, an agreement was reached on visa-free travel of citizens of Russia and Thailand. Sergey Lavrov - The Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation - stressed that he sees in the Association of an important partner in creating a multipolar world, forming a holistic system of regional security, counteracting new challenges and threats.

Features of ASEAN formation

In recent years, integration processes in East Asia have been gaining strength. For almost 30 years, the Association of Southeast Asia (ASEAN, Association.of.SouthEast.Asian.Nations.- Asean."). It has been formed on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok (Bangkok Declaration). It includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand. Philippines, then Brunei Darussalam (in 1984). Vietnam (in 1995). Laos and Myanmar (in 1997), Cambodia (in 1999). The status of the observer has Papua New Guinea.

ASEAN countries occupy a strategic position on the way from the Indian Ocean in a quiet, being at the crossroads connecting the Pacific with the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The grouping has large reserves of natural resources. ASEAN-10, which includes all 10 countries of Southeast Asia, has actually become a major regional grouping with a total area of \u200b\u200b4.487 million km 2.

In accordance with the Bangkok Declaration targets Organizations are: "(i) the acceleration of economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint aspiration ... in strengthening the foundation for the prosperous and peaceful community of the countries of Southeast Asia, as well as (ii) the establishment of peace and stability in the region. .. through ... commitment to the principles of the UN Charter.

The adopted declaration of ASEAN was set goal:

  • acceleration of economic development, social and cultural progress of the countries of South Egypt Asia;
  • strengthening peace and regional stability;
  • expanding active cooperation and mutual assistance of participating countries in the field of economics, culture, science, technology and training:
  • development of more efficient cooperation in the field of industry and agriculture;
  • expansion of mutual trade and raising the living standards of citizens of the participating countries;
  • establishment of lasting and mutually beneficial cooperation with other international and regional organizations.

ASEAN is open to all countries of Southeast Asia, recognizing her principles, goals and objectives. This document recorded the status of the annual conference of ministers of foreign affairs as the main working body of ASEAN, eligible to make decisions on the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration, discuss the fundamental problems of the Association's activities, to solve the issues of receiving new members.

Features of the development of regional economic integration Within the framework of ASEAN, a number of factors are determined.

  • High Dynamics of Economic Growth and Political Stability in the Region.
  • Simplicity (but differentiance) Economies of participating countries and the existing difficulties in expanding mutual trade.
  • Participation in the integration processes of the state by various levels of economic development and different political systems.

Organizational structure ASEAN

The supreme body ASEAN is the meetings of the heads of state and governments. The leading and coordinating authorities are the annual meetings of foreign ministers (see ID). Ministers are held responsible for other industries: agriculture, fishing, energy, environment, finance, informatization, investment, labor, justice, poverty eradication, science, technology, social security, transportation, tourism, etc. Agreement has been reached on an inter-parliamentary institution Association ASEAN. (Asian.InterparlamentaryOrganization- A.IPO.).

The current management of ASEAN is carried out by the Permanent Committee, chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Organizer Country of the Regular Meeting of Foreign Ministers. In Jakarta, there is a permanent secretariat led by ASEAN Secretary General. The Secretary-General is appointed on the principle of rotation. First Secretary General was Indonesian diplomat Harton Restarharsono. Employees of the ASEAN Secretariat are chosen by an open competition throughout the region.

The chairmanship of the Organization is carried out in the order of the established priority with a period of one year in accordance with the alphabetic location of countries in English. Accordingly, in 2006, Philippines are chaired, in 2007 - in order Singapore. The Foreign Minister of the country, which headed the organization last year, chairmans. In ASEAN, there are 11 specialized committees.

To support international relations in the region and abroad, ASEAN has established committees consisting of the heads of diplomatic missions located in the following capitals: Brussels, London, Paris, Washington, Tokyo, Canberra, Ottawa, Wellington, Geneva, Seoul, Delhi, York, Beijing, Moscow, Islamabad.

Law Base ASEAN relationships are an agreement on friendship and cooperation in Southeast Asia (Balinese Treaty) of 1976. Currently, the ASEAN member countries have developed a mechanism of possible accession to the contract of non-regional states, including Russia, which invariably declares its positive attitude to this document. .

The history of formation and political development

The first steps to interstate cooperation in Southeast Asia can be found in the years of the Cold War. However, then it looked a pronounced military-political nature and reduced to participate in the global confrontation of two systems, for example, in the composition of such an odious block, as secto (organization of the contract of Southeast Asian countries). Attempts by interstate associations on an economic basis were subordinate and could not claim an independent role in international relations (for example. Association of Southeast Asia). This plan was more lucky on the eve of the ASEAN discharge period. She managed to develop into an unborn regional association of countries with high international authority.

An important step in the political formation of ASEAN - adoption in November 1971 Kuala Lumpur Declaration About the region of the world, freedom and neutrality in Southeast Asia. It said that the neutralization of the region is the "desired goal" that all participating countries will take the necessary efforts to ensure the recognition and respect of the South Kazakhstan as a zone rejecting outside intervention. The neutralization plan was assumed to settle the contradictions at two levels: among the members of ASEAN and between ASEAN and end-regional powers, ready to take a commitment to recognize the neutral status of the ASEAN subregion and guarantee non-interference in its internal affairs.

Completion of the II of the Indochian War in the spring of 1975 gave a powerful impetus to the development of the legal and organizational base of ASEAN. On the first summit ASEAN on the island of Bali (Indonesia) approved Agreement on friendship and cooperation in Southeast Asiaand Declaration of consent. The first document was consolidated by the principles that the Five Founding States of the Association pledged to be guided in the development of mutual relations, as well as in resolving emerging disputes and conflicts. The agreement provided that ASEAN partners would make efforts to peacefully solve mutual contradictions in the interests of strengthening peace in the region, abandon the threat of strength and all controversial issues will be solved through friendly negotiations. The text of the transformation of Southeast Asia into the world, freedom and neutrality has found its reflection in the text. In the declaration of ASEAN on harmony, it is proclaimed that the "five" of the countries founding it together and individually will strive for the creation of favorable conditions for establishing and developing cooperation between the SUV countries.

In the Organizational Plan, at the Balinese summit, it was decided to establish the ASEAN permanent secretariat, and the problems of neutralization and security of ASEAN managers were considered in close linking with the giving the region of nuclear-free status. By virtue of the special complexity of the problem only in 1995, the participating States managed to approach signature Treaty on the creation of a nuclear weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia (SOUTH-EAST ASIA NUCLEAR FREE ZONE). However, for its practical entry into force, it is necessary to sign a separate protocol to the contract with all nuclear powers. His signing inhibits disagreements on the issue, to consider India and Pakistan with nuclear powers. The fate of the contract depends on the recognition or non-recognition of the nuclear status of these countries by ASEAN and other nuclear powers.

In 1994, within the framework of preventive diplomacy, at the initiative of ASEAN, the mechanism of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was launched. The task of the ARF is the provision by dialogue and consultation of the conflict-free development of the situation in Southeast Asia and in the Asia-Pacific region. In the annual meetings of ASEAN, ASEAN countries and their end-regional dialogue partners, including Russia, USA, China, Japan, and others, are involved. The ARF participants set the task to move from the implementation of confidence-building measures through preventive diplomacy to create a reliable security system in the Asia-Pacific region. As part of the ARF there are two areas of cooperation: dialogue at the official intergovernmental level; Interaction between non-governmental organizations and academic circles.

Considering the special complexity and potential explosion hazard of the situation in the region of the South China Sea, where the territorial claims of six coastal states and territories (Brunei, Vietnam, PRC, Malaysia, Taiwan, Philippines) are interconnected, ASEAN countries in 1992 performed with Manila's declaration. She called on all the parties involved to restrict themselves to peaceful means in resolving controversial issues, as well as avoid action on militarization located in the water area of \u200b\u200bthe South China Islands and proceed to the joint development of their resources. In July 1996, ASEAN in Jakarta at the Conference of Foreign Ministers ASEAN put forward the idea of \u200b\u200badopting the "Regional Code of Conduct" in the region of the South China Sea, which would be the foundation for strengthening mutual understanding in this region. However, as of the end of 2002, the conditions and timing of the adoption of such a code is the subject of the debators of the debate between ASEAN and China.

Military political cooperation

The leaders of the ASEAN countries throughout the history of the association categorically rejected the possibility and desirability of its transformation into the military-political unit. Evaluating the military-political situation in Southeast Asia as a whole as stable, members of ASEAN seek to preserve the balance of the largest powers in the Asia-Pacific region. This means the preservation of the US military presence. Thailand and the Philippines remain in the power of the former military-political agreements with Washington - about joint defense and the provision of military peel. The territory of these countries is used to maintain the American presence in the region, the Transit of the Air Force and the US Navy for operations in the "hot spots", including the Persian entry. Within the framework of the global anti-terrorism campaign of the United States in the Philippines, a group of American servicemen to combat the local terrorist group "Abu-Saiiff" is posted. Malaysia and Singapore - participants of the "five-year defensive agreement" together with Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

Development of trade and economic cooperation within ASEAN

ASEAN has both political and socio-economic aspects of development, and the latter value is constantly expanding (Fig. 1 and Table 1).

Economic cooperation in ASEAN focuses mainly in the field of trade. In 1977, an agreement on trade preferences, ASEAN PTA (Asean.PreferentialTradingArrangements., Asean.Mouth) envisaged:

  • trade preferences based on the conclusion of long-term contracts;
  • mutual provision of merchant loans at reduced rates;
  • liberalization of non-tariff barriers in mutual trade;
  • expansion of the scale of tariff preferences, etc.

Figure 1. The main activities in the framework of ASEAN

Preferences were provided as a result of negotiations and on the basis of voluntary proposals and acted in relation to all groups of groupings. It has been established that each state will recommend for liberalization at least 50 commodity positions per quarter.

Table 1

Document

Purpose (direction)

ASEAN Creation Declaration (ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EASIAN NATIONS - ASEAN) (Bangkoksai Declaration)

Promoting the development of socio-economic and cultural cooperation between member countries, strengthening peace and stability in South

ASEAN Declaration on the creation of the world, freedom and neutrality zone (Zopfan)

Maintaining the world within the region and the construction of a community free from the influence of external forces

Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation in South Kazakhstan (BAPIA Treaty)

International Code in the Region in accordance with the UN Charter

Declaring on consent

Contains the principles of cooperation within ASEAN in political, economic and functional areas

Preferential Trade Agreement - PTA)

Trade liberalization, an increase in intraregional trade cooperation, including providing customs tariff preferences

Agreement on the establishment of the free trade zone ASEAN (AFTA) (. Singapur)

Integration and liberalization in the region of Southeast Asia: Reducing customs duties and non-tariff barriers. Inappropriate measures suggests: coordination of the tariff nomenclature, customs assessment; Establishing a green pass system, i.e. simplified customs procedures; coordination of commodity standards; product standardization in order to reduce production costs and aligning standards of member countries with international standards; Mutual recognition of requirements for testing and issuing relevant certificates

Agreement on uniform preferential tariffs of ASEAN countries (Septe - The Common Effective Preferential Tariff, Sickle

The main tool for the implementation of arrangement agreements on an associated fare, which has universal action (sept). Establishes the need to gradually reduce customs duties applicable to industrial and agricultural products, to a level of 0-5% for 10 years from the date of entry

ASEANOVSKY FORUM FOR ACTIVITIES (ARF) (Multilateral Advisory Assembly)

Security cooperation: ensuring confidence, development of preventive diplomacy and the development of approaches to solve conflicts. Task - provision by dialogue and consultation of the conflict-free development of the situation both in Southwestern and APR. The members of ASEAN include the observer - Papua4 | Ovinian Guinea; PRC and RF - Advisory Partners

Agreement on the creation in Yuvozona. free from nuclear weapons)