RATHER than a defense pact, military alliance or a joint foreign policy, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam—have created the Asean Security Community (ASC) action plan to promote wide-ranging political and security cooperation in conformity with its 2020 vision, based on three pillars: the ASC, the Asean Economic Community and the Asean Sociocultural Community.
These three pillars are to be developed, updated and implemented in a parallel and balanced manner.
The ASC action plan, which is expected to be discussed, among others, next month at the 25th Asean Summit in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, is mutually reinforcing with bilateral cooperation between Asean members, while recognizing the sovereign rights of the members to pursue their individual foreign policies and defense arrangements.
The ASC is intended to ensure that countries in the region live in peace with one another and with the world at large in a just, democratic and harmonious environment. The ASC would be based on shared norms and rules of good conduct in interstate relations; effective conflict-prevention and -resolution mechanisms; and postconflict peace-building activities.
In addressing future security challenges, Asean members share the responsibility for strengthening peace, stability and security in the region that is free from foreign military interference in any form or manifestation.
Recognizing the strong interconnections among political, economic and social realities, the ASC acknowledges the principle of comprehensive security and commits to address the broad political, economic, social and cultural aspects of building an Asean community. It is also acknowledged that political and social stability, economic prosperity, narrowed development gap, poverty alleviation and reduction of social disparity would constitute a strong foundation for a sustained ASC, given its subscription to the principle of comprehensive security.
The ASC process shall be guided by well-established principles of non-interference, consensus-based decision-making, national and regional resilience, respect for national sovereignty, the renunciation of the threat or use of force, and peaceful settlement of differences and disputes that has served as the foundation of Asean cooperation since its inception in 1967. The Asean shall strengthen existing initiatives, launch new ones and set appropriate implementation frameworks.
The Asean shall explore innovative ways to implement the action plan, which is made up of six components: political development, shaping and sharing of norms, conflict prevention, conflict resolution, postconflict peace-building, and implementing mechanisms. A list of areas of activities, which is non-exhaustive, is provided to ensure a coordinated process of cooperation towards an ASC.
Political development
ONE of the main objectives of the ASC, as envisaged in the Bali Concord II, is to bring the Asean’s political and security cooperation to a higher plane.
In working toward this objective, Asean members shall promote political development in support of the Asean leaders’ shared vision and common values to achieve peace, stability, democracy and prosperity in the region. This is the highest political commitment that would serve as the basis for Asean political cooperation.
In order to better respond to the new dynamics within each Asean member, the organization shall nurture such common sociopolitical values and principles. In this context, each Asean member shall not condone unconstitutional and undemocratic changes in the government or the use of its territory for any action undermining the peace, security and stability of other members.
Shaping and sharing of norms
THE shaping and sharing of norms are aimed at achieving a standard of common adherence to norms of good conduct among members of the Asean community; consolidating and strengthening the Asean’s solidarity, cohesiveness and harmony (the “we feeling”); and contributing to the building of a democratic, tolerant, participatory and transparent community in Southeast Asia.
To be concluded next Saturday
E-mail: cecilio.arillo@gmail.com.