III. READING

a. Fill in each blank with one appropriate word from the box.

domestic goods stability membership

organization trade acceleration peacefully

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a geo-political and economic (36) __________ of 10 countries located in Southeast Asia. ASEAN was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Since then, (37) __________ has expanded to include Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Its aims include the (38) __________ of economic growth, social progress, cultural development among its members, the protection of the peace and (39) __________ of the region, and to provide opportunities for member countries to discuss differences (40) __________.

The ASEAN region has a population of about 560 million (2006), a total area of 4.5 million square kilometres, a combined gross (41) __________ product (GDP) of almost $1,100 billion, and a total (42) __________ of about $1,400 billion. Trade has been growing within the region as a result of ASEAN initiatives to encourage freer movements of (43) __________ and peoples.

Vietnam joined ASEAN as its sixth member in 1995.