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Asean leaders meet in Philippines Asian nations look to closer ties
(about 6 hours later)
South-east Asian leaders have opened their annual summit in the Philippines. A joint charter, trade and terrorism are on the agenda of the annual summit of South-east Asian leaders which has opened in the Philippines.
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 regional leaders hope to transform the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) into a closer political unit, with a free trade zone by 2015.
"We want to advance the sense of community and our shared interests," said Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, as the summit began. Philippine President Gloria Arroyo opened the meeting by appealing to Asean's "sense of community".
Strengthening counter terrorism efforts is also a priority for Asean's 10 member nations. In the past, Asean has been portrayed as little more than a talking shop.
In the past the organisation has been criticised for being little more than a talking shop.
"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."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. They were 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". 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. Former Philippine 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".
Security is tight around Cebu for the summit A key proposal is to give Asean the power to sanction and, in extreme cases, expel members for non-compliance.
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.