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HANOI - VIETNAM has become the fifth Asean nation to ratify the new landmark charter aimed at transforming the bloc, an official said on Thursday.
The charter was ratified by president Nguyen Minh Triet, foreign ministry spokesman Le Dung said during a regular press briefing.
'This is a significant event, showing Vietnam's strong commitment in the regional integration process, contributing to further cooperation and development among Asean nations,' he added.
In February, diplomats said Brunei, Laos and Malaysia had already joined Singapore in ratifying the charter.
Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said all 10 Association of South-east Asian Nations members were expected to ratify the charter by the time the grouping holds its annual summit in Thailand in December.
However, diplomatic sources also said there were doubts about whether it would be approved by all members this year due to persistent questions over reports of human rights violations in military-ruled Myanmar.
The charter, signed in Singapore last year, aims to commit the region's disparate nations to promote human rights and democratic ideals and sets out the principles and rules for members.
It also transforms Asean, 40 years after its creation, into a legal entity, which will give the group greater clout in international negotiations.
The charter was the result of a long, controversial drafting process that saw some of the strong recommendations from Asean elder statesmen watered down or dropped, including provisions on member sanctions and expulsion.
Asean's original five members were Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam joined later. -- AFP
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