Introduction

Abstract

Much research and media attention is focused on the progress of regional integration among Southeast Asian countries. 1 Back in 1967, five of them formed the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN), and by 1999 the group was complete with ten ASEAN member states (AMS): Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Viet Nam. Only one country from this subregion is currently not a member of ASEAN; however, Timor-Leste formally applied to accede in 2011.