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| Asean leaders meet in Philippines | Asean leaders meet in Philippines |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| South-east Asian leaders have opened their annual summit 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. | |
| "We want to advance the sense of community and our shared interests," said Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, as the summit began. | |
| Strengthening counter terrorism efforts is also a priority for Asean's 10 member nations. | |
| 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. | |
| 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". |
| 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. |