Association Of East Ardian Nations (ASEAN)

[Beatrice]

Association Of South-East Ardian Nations

The Association of South-East Ardian Nations (ASEAN) is an organisation comprised of nations in south eastern Ardia focused on fostering a multi-lateral approach to problem solving, furthering regional cooperation, strengthening social and economic stability, and ensuring the region remains free of foreign interference and influence. Formed following the Dunwich Summit of 2016 its guiding Charter is the Dunwich Declaration.

Joining ASEAN

To join ASEAN a prospective member need only add their signature to the Dunwich Declaration. Following a period of two weeks (real time) a Review Summit shall be held in Exuperia, Azukishima Prefecture, to allow for new members to consider amendments to the Charter, as well as other agreements to further shape ASEAN.

Charter of ASEAN:

The Asean Declaration (Dunwich Declaration) Dunwich, 30 August 2016

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The First Empire of Rokkenjima, The Enclave League of Nova Tarragona, The Hallowed Dominion of Quintax, The Republic of Satanica[1] and Gowu;

MINDFUL of the existence of mutual interests and common problems among countries of South-East Ardia and convinced of the need to strengthen further the existing bonds of regional solidarity and cooperation;

DESIRING to establish a firm foundation for common action to promote regional cooperation in South-East Ardia in the spirit of equality and partnership and thereby contribute towards peace, progress and prosperity in the region;

CONSCIOUS that in an increasingly interdependent world, the cherished ideals of peace, freedom, social justice and economic well-being are best attained by fostering good understanding, good neighbourliness and meaningful cooperation among the countries of the region already bound together by ties of history and culture;

CONSIDERING that the countries of South East Ardia share a primary responsibility for strengthening the economic and social stability of the region and ensuring their peaceful and progressive national development, and that they are determined to ensure their stability and security from external interference in any form or manifestation in order to preserve their national identities in accordance with the ideals and aspirations of their peoples;

AFFIRMING that all foreign bases are temporary and remain only with the expressed concurrence of the countries concerned and are not intended to be used directly or indirectly to subvert the national independence and freedom of States in the area or prejudice the orderly processes of their national development;

DO HEREBY DECLARE:

FIRST, the establishment of an Association for Regional Cooperation among the countries of South-East Ardia to be known as the Association of South-East Ardian Nations (ASEAN).

SECOND, that the aims and purposes of the Association shall be:

1. To accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of South-East Ardian Nations;
2. To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries of the region and adherence to the principles of the Commonwealth Treaty;
3. To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields;
4. To provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities in the educational, professional, technical and administrative spheres;
5. To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilization of their agriculture and industries, the expansion of their trade, including the study of the problems of international commodity trade, the improvement of their transportation and communications facilities and the raising of the living standards of their peoples;
6. To promote South-East Ardian studies;
7. To maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes, and explore all avenues for even closer cooperation among themselves.

THIRD, that to carry out these aims and purposes, the following machinery shall be established:

(a) Annual Meeting of Foreign Ministers, which shall be by rotation and referred to as ASEAN Ministerial Meeting. Special Meetings of Foreign Ministers may be convened as required.
(b) A Standing committee, under the chairmanship of the Foreign Minister of the host country or his representative and having as its members the accredited Ambassadors of the other member countries, to carry on the work of the Association in between Meetings of Foreign Ministers.
(c) Ad-Hoc Committees and Permanent Committees of specialists and officials on specific subjects.
(d) A National Secretariat in each member country to carry out the work of the Association on behalf of that country and to service the Annual or Special Meetings of Foreign Ministers, the Standing Committee and such other committees as may hereafter be established.

FOURTH, that the Association is open for participation to all States in the South-East Ardian Region subscribing to the aforementioned aims, principles and purposes.

FIFTH, that the Association represents the collective will of the nations of South-East Ardia to bind themselves together in friendship and cooperation and, through joint efforts and sacrifices, secure for their peoples and for posterity the blessings of peace, freedom and prosperity.

DONE in Dunwich on this 30th day of August, 2016.

1.	Nova Tarragona, Quintax, and Satanica no longer exist. This text has been preserved as it forms part of the original Declaration.

Present Members:

• The First Empire of Rokkenjima
• Gowu

Past Members:

• The Enclave League of Nova Tarragona
• The Hallowed Dominion of Quintax
• The Republic of Satanica

[RobertAgira]

To:- ASEAN

It has been my desire to try and create a sense of regional co-operation. I have witnessed in the past the creation, and subsequent failure of various initiatives to try and unite the continent of Ardia. In the most recent past however I have seen that there are attempts by two nations to try and split our continent into sub-continents, counter to the aims of what I think is needed to see all of us prosper. The Assembly of Ardia I had hoped had brought this to an end. We have seen Ui Cenneslaig end its short lived Western Ardian Forum and joined the organisation. I now urge Rokkenjima and Gowu, both at least on paper members of the Ardian Assembly. There is nothing that ASEAN seeks to achieve that can not be done through the Ardian Assembly, furthermore by including more nations the level of opportunity presented to the nations of East Ardia is exponentially increased.

I would therefore urge all nations of Ardia to unify behind the Ardian Assembly thus ending the old continental divisions of old.

Signed

Grand Duke Hugo Lascelles of Bakkermaya.

[Beatrice]

A Reply To Grand Duke Lascelles

Grand Duke Lascelles,

With all due respect Rokkenjima has been a consistent voice and force for broader Ardian unity and cooperation, with the most recent attempt prior to the Assembly of Ardia being undermined by the false divide imposed by the nation of Ui Cennselaig between east and west, consigning that most ambitious proposal to failure. Rokkenjima has never attempted to split our continent, indeed, Rokkenjima was most gracious and generous in its proposals, opening up all provisions for a cooperative approach. While Bakkermaya was largely silent at the time you would do well to remember it was Ui Cennselaig who spoke of Eastern Ardia with such terms of derision in the formation of its West Ardia Forum, tearing asunder efforts underway toward a common, unified Ardian front. To say the First Empire was party to "attempts to try and split our continent" is wholly inaccurate; indeed, ASEAN itself was born from the ashes of past Pan-Ardian initiatives which were laid to waste by our Western neighbours.

ASEAN itself is not incompatible with the broader program put forth by the Assembly, however, we must recognize that there are cultural and economic advantages which do not play well across the broader continent. We have also seen resistance to programs for joint space exploration, a regional Development Fund, as well as greater measures of trade which will create a free-trade zone of unparalleled opportunity and prosperity. I have, in good faith, supported the Assembly and its ambitions and will continue to do so, however, seeking to undermine ASEAN will do little to further cooperation between our states or to ensure that support continues. If you had wished to speak your concerns there are other avenues for that to take place instead of a showing which undermines the mutual respect between Ardian nations.

East Ardian nations should not be denied opportunities because the broader continent doesn't wish to pursue them. The First Empire will continue to foster opportunities for shared economic prosperity, mutual aid, and greater scientific advances. If you wish to discuss ways forward you may pick up a phone or a pen and discuss them. I trust you will not sow further seeds of discord in reflection of what has already been a complicated and unfortunate chapter in Ardian history.

Respectfully;


Empress of Rokkenjima
Princess of Littlebrook

[RobertAgira]

To:- Her Imperial Majesty Empress Beatrice

The response to my concern highlight the issues with Ardia at present.

My initial communication highlights simply facts and apportioned no blame. I understand fully the desire that if the left hand sees the right doing something it is likely to copy it however both the concept of WAF and ASEAN do by their very existence split Ardia into sub-continents. I also fully understand the cultural aspects of East Ardia are different to those of West Ardia, our own culture is different to those of the rest of our portion on the horn. While it is good to celebrate shared cultural ideas it is even better to share them with others and thus bring about understanding of each others nations. By the Ardian Assembly including articles on making travel easier and educational exchanges we secure this.

I would further note that during the talks which took place here none of the issues the Empress highlights as having "resistance" to even were placed before those attending. You yourself stated publically as you signed the charter ""Let us not understate the accomplishment this development represents, nor the opportunities for Ardia which open before us." Yet the only topics during discussions that saw resistance were unrestricted extraditions and the creation of an Ardian Paramilitary. Your voice on matters of creation of a free trade zone was never raised and as such the agreement that no Ardian nation will charge a neighbour higher tariffs than a non-Ardian nation represents an agreement you willingly added your name to. This is the first step towards one day possibly creating a whole Ardian Free Trade Zone and this is something that once Ardia shows it is capable of working together I would support, however at present I feel that day is a long way off. At no point during the talks did you suggest anything to do with Space beyond your initial remarks, I on the other hand suggested reasons why at present such a step was unfeasible, you had every opportunity to debate this and convince those present otherwise however you remained silent on the matter giving the impression this article was of little importance to you. Furthermore you have since had the opportunity to attend the Assembly either in person or through your representative and propose initiatives and yet so far the Assembly has remained empty on that behalf. As for a Regional Development Funds this was mentioned in your opening pre-amble however when asked if there were any other issues for inclusion on the charter you again did not present any option. As with your desire for space co-operation the Assembly floor remains open to yourself at any point and I would be more than happy to see and consider any proposals you have.

As for showing respect to other nations of Ardia my initial open address to potential ASEAN members proportioned no blame, ridiculed no-ones actions and encouraged all of Ardia to work together, I therefore fail to see how this is a lack of respect. It is you who show disrespect repeatedly to Ardia by on one hand making no proactive steps to seek unity while on the other criticising those who do. One must only look at Rokkenjima attempting to exclude Ui Cenneslaig from original talks on the Cross-Ardian Railroad, what other sense does it make to leave one of Mundus largest nations out of such an agreement? One can only think of the insane rivalry that has developed between the two nations.

I believe if continental unity is to actually work one organisation is all that is needed and desired. While I see little issue with nations of East Ardia banding together to share culturally their similarities this is too something I would like to see done through the Ardian Assembly, by for example there being a East Ardian Festival of Culture it would utilise the travel articles of the Ardian Assembly, boost the local economy of the host and encourage non-East Ardians to learn about and appreciate your culture. Meanwhile such actions undertaken only by East Ardian nations would serve as merely an echo-chamber leaving the rest of Ardia less aware and less appreciative of your culture. Take another example, Space Co-Operation. Should this exist in ASEAN it essentially means nations co-operating with Rokkenjima. As space projects are years in the planning it will be best part of a decade before such co-operation sees nations such as say Quintelia able to lead on them. Meanwhile, as we have already seen in recent Quintelian press, such opportunities do already exist as a West Ardian nation has helped an East Ardian nation place satellites and probes into space, all without the creation of specific initiatives under ASEAN or even the Ardian Assembly.

My final point on this is as follows. Ardia is one of the two least co-operative continents on Mundus, the other being Aranye. If you look at other regional organisations that do work, such as the Treaty of Unity for Nations of the Alucard (TUNA) this organisation has existed for less time that the Ardian Assembly and has already achieved harmony the likes of wish the Ardian Assembly, WAF or ASEAN can only dream of. In the short time we have come together we have formed a multi-national media group which has won the rights to host a major international sporting event. Additionally we have currently begun work on what will, if successfully agreed, be the worlds greatest ever environmental initiative for the oceans. Furthermore we have worked as an organisation to provide assistance against piracy and smuggling to less developed nations such as Cabbagelandiet. All this has been achieved when effectively, because of the make up of Bakkermaya and Paracambi, dealing with many more nations than the Ardian Assembly currently has or WAF or ASEAN could have. This has been achieved because each member is willing to present its ideas and have frank discussions on them. The Ardian Assembly drafting gave you that chance and you for some reason lacked the conviction to fight for your point of view or failed to present it at all. Much like your criticism of the MCUR you may only claim to have not had your way if you contribute and to date you have failed to do that regarding Ardian unity.

I look forward to seeing your appearance in Bakkermaya to address the Assembly, the door is always open and ready to receive any Ardian Head of State or their representative. There we can discuss these proposals that you failed to put forward initially and thus give you the opportunity to create the regional organisation you lament doesn't exist.