The 11th ASEAN Summit closed on Monday at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center with the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Charter.

In a statement at the ASEAN Summit meeting, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the decision to draft the ASEAN Charter is not only a historic and significant step for member states, but also a reaffirmation of their belief and confidence in ASEAN.

ASEAN member states include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Abdullah said the signing of the ASEAN Charter will mark a new milestone in ASEAN's development into a mature regional organization.

The ASEAN Charter will give the grouping a legal standing and provide the ASEAN Secretary-General and the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta more clout in decision-making.

The ASEAN Charter stresses, among other things, democratic institutions, transparency and good governance, ASEAN's adherence to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states, and the need to uphold non-discrimination of any of the ASEAN countries in the group's external relations.

The charter points towards the ASEAN countries continuing to prefer non-aggression and exclusive reliance on peaceful means to settle differences or disputes.

Badawi said that ASEAN is at a crucial juncture since its creation in 1967. "Internally, we need to take concrete and determined steps to guide ASEAN towards the realization of an ASEAN Community. ASEAN's credibility depends on how it manages to shape this community."

Badawi added: "Externally, ASEAN is faced with the challenge of seeking ways and means to promote peace and stability in East Asia. There is also great expectation on the part of the international community for ASEAN to play a greater role in the affairs of the region".

The 11th ASEAN Summit is themed "One Vision, One Identity, One Community".

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2005)