ASEAN
When was ASEAN formed? In 2002, India and ASEAN countries decided to develop "concerted programmes" of cooperation in combating terrorism and also agreed to work for creating a Free Trade Area. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee also announced greater tariff concessions to ASEAN's lesser-developed members -- Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Take the Rediff Business Quiz and see how much you know about this important regional group.
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1. When was ASEAN formed? a) 1975 b) 1981 c) 1967
Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is 1967. On August 8 1967, five leaders, the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand signed a document, together in the main hall of the Department of Foreign Affairs building in Bangkok, Thailand, by virtue of that document, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN was born. The five foreign ministers were Adam Malik of Indonesia, Narciso R Ramos of the Philippines, Tun Abdul Razak of Malaysia, S Rajaratnam of Singapore, and Thanat Khoman of Thailand.
Correct! On August 8 1967, five leaders, the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand signed a document, together in the main hall of the Department of Foreign Affairs building in Bangkok, Thailand, by virtue of that document, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN was born. The five foreign ministers were Adam Malik of Indonesia, Narciso R Ramos of the Philippines, Tun Abdul Razak of Malaysia, S Rajaratnam of Singapore, and Thanat Khoman of Thailand.
2. When did India become a member of ASEAN? a) 1999 b) Not a member c) 2003
Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is Not a member . India is not a member of ASEAN. However, the Fifth ASEAN Summit (December 14-15, 1995) decided to elevate India to a full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN. The move opened a new chapter in ASEAN-India relations, which have gained considerable strength since the ASEAN-India Sectoral Dialogue relationship was established in early 1993. With the elevation of India to full Dialogue Partner status, the ASEAN-India Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee was disbanded. But other mechanisms were created under the Sectoral Dialogue -- the ASEAN New Delhi Committee, the ASEAN-India Business Council, and the Joint Management Committee of the ASEAN-India Fund. At the operational level, ASEAN-India cooperation has seen substantial progress in the areas of tourism, science and technology, and trade and investment. The 7th ASEAN Summit (November 5-6, 2001) in Brunei Darussalaam, took a decision to upgrade its relations with India to summit level. The first ASEAN-India Summit was held in November 5, 2002 at Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
Correct! India is not a member of ASEAN. However, the Fifth ASEAN Summit (December 14-15, 1995) decided to elevate India to a full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN. The move opened a new chapter in ASEAN-India relations, which have gained considerable strength since the ASEAN-India Sectoral Dialogue relationship was established in early 1993. With the elevation of India to full Dialogue Partner status, the ASEAN-India Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee was disbanded. But other mechanisms were created under the Sectoral Dialogue -- the ASEAN New Delhi Committee, the ASEAN-India Business Council, and the Joint Management Committee of the ASEAN-India Fund. At the operational level, ASEAN-India cooperation has seen substantial progress in the areas of tourism, science and technology, and trade and investment. The 7th ASEAN Summit (November 5-6, 2001) in Brunei Darussalaam, took a decision to upgrade its relations with India to summit level. The first ASEAN-India Summit was held in November 5, 2002 at Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
3. How many countries are members of ASEAN? a) 9 b) 10 c) 8
Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is 10. At present 10 countries are members of ASEAN. Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. .
Correct! At present 10 countries are members of ASEAN. Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
4. Which three nations will soon sign ASEAN's 'treaty of amity and cooperation'? a) India. China, Japan b) Japan, China, Pakistan c) Pakistan, Russia, Japan
Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is Pakistan, Russia, Japan . Japan, Pakistan and Russia are expected to sign ASEAN's 'treaty of amity and cooperation' when foreign ministers from the 10-member grouping meet in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta in June end. The treaty governs relations among members of ASEAN and says political and security cooperation should aim to promote regional peace and stability. Russia and Japan belong to the 23-nation ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Asia Pacific's main forum for enhancing political and security cooperation.
Correct! Japan, Pakistan and Russia are expected to sign ASEAN's 'treaty of amity and cooperation' when foreign ministers from the 10-member grouping meet in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta in June end. The treaty governs relations among members of ASEAN and says political and security cooperation should aim to promote regional peace and stability. Russia and Japan belong to the 23-nation ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Asia Pacific's main forum for enhancing political and security cooperation.
5. Who is the current secretary general of ASEAN? a) Ong Keng Yong b) Wilfrido V villacorta c) Pengiran Mashor Pengiran Ahmad
Wrong! Try again.
Wrong! The correct answer is ONG KENG YONG . Ong Keng Yong, former Press Secretary to the Prime Minister of Singapore, took over the post of Secretary-General of the ASEAN from Rodolfo C. Severino, Jr., a Filipino career diplomat, at the handover ceremony held on January, 6, 2003 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. Ong holds a Bachelor of Law (Honours) from the University of Singapore and a Master of Arts in Arab Studies (Distinction) from Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA. Villacorta and Ahmad are the current deputy secretary generals.
Correct! Ong Keng Yong, former Press Secretary to the Prime Minister of Singapore, took over the post of Secretary-General of the ASEAN from Rodolfo C. Severino, Jr., a Filipino career diplomat, at the handover ceremony held on January, 6, 2003 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. Ong holds a Bachelor of Law (Honours) from the University of Singapore and a Master of Arts in Arab Studies (Distinction) from Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA. Villacorta and Ahmad are the current deputy secretary generals.
