Integration models of East Asian community formation

Abstract

The article deals with the history of the evolution of integration trends in East Asia since the 1960s. Th e characteristics, objectives of creation and decision-making of ASEAN + 3 and the East Asia Summit are given. The project of an East Asian Community was initiated within the framework of these dialogue mechanisms and ASEAN + 1, ASEAN + 3 and ASEAN + 6 were proclaimed the models of its formation. Within the ASEAN + 1, the signing of free trade area agreements between ASEAN, on the one hand, and their dialogue partners - Japan, South Korea, China, India, Australia and New Zealand, on the other hand, was achieved. These zones are generally operative within customs free trade regime. Models of ASEAN + 3 and ASEAN + 6 have transformed into a project of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), with the negotiations on its signing being in progress. It is planned to form an East Asian community in the form of a free trade zone in 2015.