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Asean leaders meet in Philippines Asean leaders meet in Philippines
(about 9 hours later)
South-east Asian leaders are meeting in the Philippines for an annual summit that could result in a blueprint for a joint charter for the first time. South-east Asian leaders have opened their annual summit in the Philippines.
The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) summit will also discuss establishing a free trade zone and joint counter-terrorism measures. The meeting hopes to transform the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) into a closer political unit, with a free trade zone by 2015.
The 10-member organisation has been criticised in the past for being little more than a talking shop. "We want to advance the sense of community and our shared interests," said Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, as the summit began.
Analysts say a move to more rules will be seen as giving the bloc more bite. Strengthening counter terrorism efforts is also a priority for Asean's 10 member nations.
Presidents, prime ministers and other delegates from Asean nations have been arriving in the central Philippines island of Cebu since Thursday. In the past the organisation has been criticised for being little more than a talking shop.
They were undeterred by a series of bombs on Wednesday in the southern island of Mindanao that killed seven people. "Asean is committed to expanding its trade forum to become the largest in the world," said President Arroyo, welcoming regional leaders to the central Philippines island of Cebu.
They have been undeterred by a series of bombs on Wednesday in the southern island of Mindanao that killed seven people.
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN NATIONS BruneiBurmaCambodiaIndonesiaLaosMalaysiaPhilippinesSingaporeThailandVietnam
However, security is tight on Cebu, with some 8,000 police and soldiers on duty for the weekend summit.However, security is tight on Cebu, with some 8,000 police and soldiers on duty for the weekend summit.
'New order''New order'
An EU-style charter for Asean would give the body a legal basis for the first time in its 39-year history.An EU-style charter for Asean would give the body a legal basis for the first time in its 39-year history.
Former Philippines President Fidel Ramos, a member of the charter drafting group, said it would allow the bloc to compete in the "new order of the 21st century".Former Philippines President Fidel Ramos, a member of the charter drafting group, said it would allow the bloc to compete in the "new order of the 21st century".
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN NATIONS BruneiBurmaCambodiaIndonesiaLaosMalaysiaPhilippinesSingaporeThailandVietnam
A key proposal is to give Asean the power to sanction - and in extreme cases expel - members for non-compliance.A key proposal is to give Asean the power to sanction - and in extreme cases expel - members for non-compliance.
Security is tight around Cebu for the summit
This could have an impact on Burma, whose military government has been slow to move towards its pledge of greater democracy, frustrating other Asean members.This could have an impact on Burma, whose military government has been slow to move towards its pledge of greater democracy, frustrating other Asean members.
During the summit, leaders are also expected to bring forward the establishment of a regional free trade zone by five years, to 2015.During the summit, leaders are also expected to bring forward the establishment of a regional free trade zone by five years, to 2015.
Some members said this would ensure the region did not lose out on business opportunities and investment to giant neighbours China and India.Some members said this would ensure the region did not lose out on business opportunities and investment to giant neighbours China and India.
And terrorism will also be top of the agenda, with leaders expected to sign a pact pledging closer co-operation in the fight against radical groups such as regional militant network Jemaah Islamiah.And terrorism will also be top of the agenda, with leaders expected to sign a pact pledging closer co-operation in the fight against radical groups such as regional militant network Jemaah Islamiah.