countries which are trying to accession

I want to write about the country you are trying to join the ASEAN.

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea, has an interest in ASEAN start from the beginning of independence in 1975, to participate in Ministerial Meeting ASEAN as observers (they can attend the meeting, no voting rights and rights to participate in the proceedings) the following year from 1976 then, in 1981, got a special observer status.

Papua New Guinea, formally apply for membership in the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in 1986, and hope to join until now.

However, because Papua New Guinea is not a Southeast Asia, ASEAN countries are negative to accession.

East Timor

East Timor acquire observer status, and are also targeted members ASEAN. In 2007, East Timor is already participating in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. East Timor and a member, ASEAN is completed as communities welcomed 11 countries all put the capital in Southeast Asia, independence of the country has been through a conflict with Indonesia, member states to focus on friendly relations with Indonesia this they are not necessarily a welcome move. Myanmar has expressed the opposite may be democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi's home country is supporting Timor-Leste in particular. And Singapore, are reluctant to join East Timor. Moreover, it is also a problem of East Timor after independence point is unstable domestic situation, the United Nations Integrated Mission in East Timor by the United Nations has continued since 2006.

The other hand, in the interview, such as a newsletter that was carried out on 21 July 2010, Foreign Minister da Costa of East Timor, the country and we are aiming to join ASEAN until 2012, East Timor is a democratic country with a stable states that have undergone rapid economic development, east Timor has shown that there are enough members recognized qualification. Moreover, it was stressed that it can satisfy (Member States should comply with the basic principles, such as the rule of law and democracy) norms highest of ASEAN which are standards of ASEAN Charter. On December 1 the same year, President Jose Ramos Horta has indicated a willingness again deciding to join ASEAN during the year 2011.

March 4, 2011, Foreign Minister da Costa, was formally apply to join ASEAN in Jakarta, Indonesia for the country's Foreign Minister Marty Presidency ASEAN. Maruti Foreign Minister at a joint news conference "Support the accession of East Timor, in the ASEAN discuss promptly" he said "I want to welcome to ASEAN by 2015", he showed the plans to begin consultations at the level of Foreign Ministers in as early as this month. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced the meeting on March 3, and the Foreign Minister da Costa and fully support the accession of East Timor. No major objection to the other Member States. However, the realization of accession is seen from the rest of the year is difficult, such as procedural issues. Foreign Minister da Costa has said "I hope to join the early", it is expected that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Gusmao of East Timor will meet on February 22, to discuss issues such as membership.

Member countries

I will write about the ASEAN member countries when they founded this time.

Indonesia

Republic of Indonesia, republic located in the southern part of Southeast Asia. Capital Jakarta is located on the island of Java. It is an island nation, which has the largest number of the world, very long from east to west and 5,110 km. It is composed of 8,110 islands of various sizes 10 000 things across the equator, this island is the number of which was determined from satellite images, the exact number of islands not know even the Indonesian government. Population is the fourth largest in the world with over 30 million 200 million, most of whom are Muslim, also known as the country's largest Muslim population in the world. Indonesia is the leader of ASEAN, the ASEAN headquarters in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Therefore, since 2009, more than 50 countries such as ASEAN ambassador the United States and China, with headquarters reside in Jakarta ASEAN. Japan, on May 26 in 2011, opened the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Mission of Japan to Jakarta, resident ambassador to ASEAN.

Thailand

Without being subject to foreign colonial rule, Thailand has come a culture of its own. Most of its people are Buddhists, Buddhism has played an important role as one of the three major pillars to integrate nation-state, along with the king. Thailand has succeeded in industrialization and the introduction of foreign capital from Japan and other countries since the 1980s. And I had to break away from the industrial structure with a focus on primary products.

The economic crisis of 1997 has brought a serious impact on society, with the assistance of the international community including Japan and the IMF and the government's aggressive fiscal policy, economic conditions had recovered. Economic relations between the two countries deepened by rapid expansion of Japanese companies and investment began in the 1960s, and now, Japan is the largest partner in terms of trade and investment for Thailand. In addition, including the capital Bangkok has been called the "Venice of the East" once, tie dotted with ruins and beautiful beach resort, which is a World Heritage Site is also a popular tourist destination.

Singapore

Singapore has its own culture of diverse religions, culture, language of the East and the West in harmony. After growth miraculous by the electronics industry, towards the strengthening and the establishment of the free trade system, to promote the free trade agreement between the two countries as well as negotiating WTO, Singapore has entered into agreements with several countries, including Japan, you.

"Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement for a New Age Partnership" which was signed in 2002 intended to be the goal of economic partnership comprehensive bilateral liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, finance, information and communications, science and technology, and human resource development, and it is economic Partnership Agreement Japan signed for the first time. Island nation full of beautiful nature is also very popular as a tourist destination, and is visited by many people every year.

Vietnam

Vietnam is a multi-ethnic nation, which has about 55 ethnic minorities. Approximately 60 percent of workers are engaged in agriculture, but, The introduction of market economic system, on the other hand, are undergoing a remarkable economic development of a high growth rate of around 7%. In the 16th century, Vietnam and Japan with a long history of exchange, such as it exists in the Japanese town in central Hoi An, the various exchanges, such as politics, economics and culture are being carried out.

Philippines

Philippines consist of more than 7,000 islands and 11 major islands. In the only Christian nation in the ASEAN, the Philippines is about 90% of the population is a believer. Spain on behalf of the European culture and American culture, lifestyle and culture specific to the Philippines are mixed, their own culture has been nurtured. The key to economic development is the expansion of trade and investment. In addition to the promotion of regional economic cooperation initiatives such as the Free Trade Area of ​​ASEAN, the Philippines has developed a proactive economic diplomacy, such as investment protection agreements with the countries concerned. Japan is a country trading partner, behind the United States for the Philippines. Alternative to seafood and bananas that have been topped many years, in recent years exports of processed products such as semiconductors is growing. Investment in manufacturing in the center of the special economic zone, Japan is one of the leading countries in the field of investment. Currently, Japan and the Philippines, are aimed at coordination of economic activities between the two countries in a wide range of areas, including the liberalization of services and the acceptance of human nurses and care workers.

ASEAN and Japan

I am going to write about the relationship between Japan and ASEAN this week.

Japan maintains a close relationship with ASEAN since the foundation of ASEAN,

Japan and ASEAN leaders have been carried out, the foreign minister level meeting frequently since the 1970s.When the Prime Minister Tanaka visited Southeast Asia in 1974, protests from local residents to repel the economic advancement of Japan has occurred, the relationship between the two regions were changed also generally thereafter. Southeast Asia is an important supply center of materials such as natural rubber of　Malaysia ,Oil of Indonesia for Japan, and more such as Thailand and Malaysia became a powerful country which obtain the labor quality in low-wage when the Japanese manufacturing industry is to expand overseas. In addition, Southeast Asia is a place few can demonstrate its uniqueness for Japanese diplomacy which has been very subordinate to the United States, such as the Fukuda Doctrine have been announced in 1978. Also for the ASEAN, Japan advance the pursuit in economic profit without asking for hegemony in the region is favorable, the relationship between the two has deepened further.

Between Japan and ASEAN countries signed the "Agreement Establishing the ASEAN Promotion Centre on Trade, Investment and Tourism", in 1981, the ASEAN-Japan Centre has been established. This is what was targeted in an increase in investment and tourists from Japan to ASEAN countries and the promotion of trade. Besides, various fund such as ASEAN Cultural Foundation, Japan· ASEAN Comprehensive Foundation, Japan· ASEAN Foundation academic exchange exists. From 2010 test "ASEAN" as to deepen their understanding of the ASEAN countries in Japan will begin, with the sponsorship, such as the ASEAN-Japan Centre, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia by the Secretariat, which is provided in-house recruitment tests on the three country has been done.

From 1997 will be held on the ASEAN +3 gather leaders in three countries of Japan, China, Korea, as a larger version of Summit ASEAN, it has become a significant presence on play and develop long-term stability of East Asia.

2003 was the ASEAN-Japan Exchange Year. Events held to commemorate the Year of Exchange and business which introduction of culture and human interaction issuance of commemorative stamps, were conducted in Japan and the ASEAN countries. In addition, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement · ASEAN Japan is signed in 2008, it became a step to expand to the entire ASEAN a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement for a New Age Partnership came into effect in 2002. However, the entire ASEAN and Japan's FTA negotiations are not yet concluded, was that the (English) (ACFTA) is preceded by a free trade agreement between China-ASEAN was established in 2010. This has also stalled the establishment of East Asia that Japan EPA initiative. The Abe second Cabinet, which was established on 28 December 2012, focused on increasing its presence in the ASEAN economy and security. Within one month after taking office, his Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia visit, such as the visit of Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, ministers have visited in sequence the major ASEAN countries. Prosperity through the network cooperation and economic realization of universal values ​​such as the domination of freedom, democracy, basic human rights, law, Japan after having communicated to the leaders a message that we will come together as equal partners of ASEAN , to January 18, 2013, in Indonesia visited, has announced the following five principles versus ASEAN diplomacy.

ASEAN+3

This week, I think I want to write about the ASEAN +3.

ASEAN +3 is that the framework which will continue to work together in Japan, China, Korea, in close interaction with the community of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). On the occasion of the economic crisis, the Asian currency that began in the summer of 1997, ASEAN +3 Summit, the start in the form of the leaders of Japan, China and South Korea have been invited to the summit of the anniversary ASEAN30, which was held in Kuala Lumpur. Since then, foreign ministers, finance ministers, ministerial-level meeting of economic ministers' meeting, etc. is launched, progress pragmatic cooperation in the financial field, such as a variety of food security. They will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the partnership in 2012.

Began in the form of ASEAN +3 leaders of Japan, China and South Korea have been invited to the ASEAN Summit in 1997 in order to continue to the East Asia regional cooperation in the Asian currency crisis in 1997. There is a summit and foreign ministers' meeting in the main thing, there is a consultative body of 48 field 17 December 2005.To become the center of an East Asian community in the 9th ASEAN +3 summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2005 has been revealed by the Kuala Lumpur Declaration. Agreed to show the future of the community put together a new declaration in 2007.

In the ASEAN +3 Finance Ministers' Meeting 2nd May 2000, is the swap network currency bilateral using foreign exchange reserves to agree to (CMI) Chiang Mai Initiative, by the end of 2003 eight countries　(Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea) participated. Thereafter, the contract into CMI multi came into force in March 2010 with the aim of standardizing the process triggering currency swap between the authorities, in order to facilitate accelerate support, in 13 countries all of ASEAN +3 participated.

Based on the proposal of Japan, ASEAN +3 Finance Ministers' Meeting 6th August 2003 at (Manila, Philippines), medium-and long-term issues of regional financial cooperation further, take advantage of the knowledge of regional research institutions, ASEAN studied from an academic perspective established under +3 Finance Ministers' process of "research Group" has been agreed upon. In response to this, in the research group, various studies have been performed so far.

2011-12 years, research has been performed on the following three themes.

To cope with changes in commodity prices in East Asia 

 ①The role and function of the banking sector in the region's financial system 

 ② ASEAN +3 is the role of regional financial safety net in global architecture 

 ③These studies report (Note) has been posted on the website of the ASEAN Secretariat has compiled a research group in May 2012.

Research themes of the year 2012-13 are as follows.

Improvement of infrastructure to strengthen the capacity of community rating in the region and the international debate on the ASEAN +3 rating agency

ASEAN +3 will continue to influence the world in the future.