Explanatory Notes

1. The Matrix covers “legal instruments”, which, within this context, is ASEAN legal instruments concluded among and between ASEAN Member States. There are various understandings and interpretations of what is considered international legal instruments. As such, the Matrix only focuses on legal instruments by which the consent to be bound is expressed through either signature of the authorized representatives of Member States or the signature is subject to ratification and/or acceptance in accordance with the internal procedures of respective Member States.
2. The Matrix does not include Statements and Declarations, which are issued or adopted by ASEAN Member States that appear to reflect their aspirations and/or political will.
3. The Matrix has also categorized the legal instruments under the three community pillars, namely, the APSC, AEC and ASCC for easy identification and information. The categorization is based on the ASEAN Ministerial Sectoral Body/ies that is responsible for the implementation of the specific instrument and does not aim to define whether or not the specific instrument is a political, economic or socio-cultural agreement.
4. Under each Community Pillar, the legal instruments are listed from the most recent to older instruments in chronological order and they are grouped together based on subject-matter. For example, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) of 1976 and its three Protocols amending the TAC concluded in different times have been grouped together. The same will also apply to some agreements in the AEC. For instance, the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services concluded in 1995 and the 17 different Protocols to implement various packages or to amend the Framework Agreement that were concluded in different times have all been grouped together.

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