"My own perception is that there are two tiers of countries, one, the original ASEAN, and then the new members. The new members are in various stages of development"

The quote by Sellapan Ramanathan uses an informative point of view on the regional characteristics within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Ramanathan highlights the existence of two unique tiers among ASEAN member nations: the original charter member and the more recent members who joined later. This distinction is based on their phases of development and combination into the local framework.

The "initial ASEAN" describes the founding nations-- Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand-- who established the organization in 1967 primarily for political and economic cooperation. These nations have actually traditionally shared more powerful economic ties, more advanced infrastructure, and higher political stability. Their collective experience in local partnership has given them a running start in accomplishing particular developmental milestones.

In contrast, the "brand-new members" describe those nations that signed up with ASEAN after its founding, such as Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Brunei. These nations display diverse stages of financial and political advancement. Some, like Vietnam, have actually revealed quick economic development, while others, such as Myanmar, face significant internal difficulties. This disproportion impacts their integration into ASEAN's enthusiastic economic and political objectives.

Ramanathan's observation highlights an essential aspect of ASEAN's internal dynamics-- handling the disparities in development among its members. These variations can position obstacles in accomplishing a unified regional policy, as financial and political concerns might differ significantly between the more developed original members and the developing brand-new members. Yet, it also shows ASEAN's inclusive nature and its dedication to fostering cooperation across varied nations.

By highlighting these 2 tiers, Ramanathan implicitly requires nuanced policy approaches within ASEAN. Policies need to consider these developmental distinctions to enhance cooperation and guarantee that the advantages of local combination are knowledgeable equitably. Accomplishing this balance is crucial for ASEAN's long-term cohesion and effectiveness in resolving regional and global obstacles.