ASEAN Foreign Ministers signed a protocol in Hanoi on April 8 to create a legal framework for settling disputes amongst member countries.

The Protocol on Dispute Settlement Mechanism is considered an important legal document to finalise the legal framework in line with the ASEAN Charter.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, who chaired the meeting, handed the document to ASEAN General Secretary Surin Pitsuwan.

At the meeting, the ministers examined the results and recommendations made at preparatory meetings and approved the agenda for the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit, which is scheduled to open at 15.45pm (Local time) on April 8.

On April 7, ASEAN Foreign Ministers discussed measures to speed up the regional integration process, bring to life the ASEAN Charter and build a united ASEAN community by 2015.

They agreed that ASEAN will sign a third protocol to amend the Treaty on Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia, paving the way for the European Union (EU) to join the treaty.

They welcomed Canada’s recent proposal to join the treaty, and agreed to make necessary procedures to admit Turkey to TAC.

Source: VOV