ASEAN on schedule for 2015 integration The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is right on track for the

much anticipated ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) come 2015. Its 10 member states are on the verge of completing the measures needed for economic integration according to the 2012-2013 annual report released by the regional economic and political bloc. Le Luong Minh, ASEAN secretary general, noted in the annual report message that the region has already implemented nearly 80 percent of the measures in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint, with significant progress across sectors as of March 2013. In 2012, the region grew by 5.6 percenta significant boost from 2011s 4.7 percent growth. This economic drive is attributed due to strong domestic demand. According to the report, the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement is now fully enforced and the landmark ASEAN Agreement on Movement of Natural Persons (MNP) has been signed. The pilot implementation of the ASEAN Single Window, which is expected to contribute to improved trade facilitation in the region, is well underway while in transport facilitation, progress on the ratification of agreements is being made. A Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, of which negotiations have started among member states of the ASEAN and its six Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners namely: Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea and New Zealand will further ASEANs main goal to be an emerging hub of economic integration in the Asia-Pacific. By 2015, ASEAN envisions an ASEAN Economic Community which will be defined as having a single market and distribution basea highly competitive economic region with equitable economic development and a region fully integrated into the global economy. Anent political-security issues, the ASEAN secretary general noted that the adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration in 2012 was an important milestone in ASEANs mission to promote and protect human rights. As a key player in maintaining regional peace and stability through dialogues and peaceful resolution of conflicts, the region is intensifying efforts to ensure full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and work towards the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.