Principles
PRINCIPLES OF THE IOR-ARC
- 1. OPEN REGIONALISM
The Charter declares that the
IOR-ARC seeks to build and expand understanding and mutually
beneficial co-operation through a consensus based, evolutionary and
non-intrusive approach. There are no laws and binding contracts.
Compliance with consensus based decision remains without any rigid
institutional structure to specify any rules and regulations.
- 2. BASIS OF COOPERATION
Co-operation is based on principles
of Sovereignty, Equality, Territorial Integrity, Political
Independence, and Non-interference in Internal Affairs, Peaceful
Coexistence and Mutual Benefit.
The IOR-ARC explicitly excludes
bilateral relations and other issues likely to generate controversy
and be an impediment to Regional Co-operation. Co-operation
within the Association does not prejudice the rights and
obligations of theMemberStateswithin the framework of other
economic and trade co- operation arrangements and will not apply
automatically to Member States of the Association. It does not seek
to be a substitute for, but to reinforce, be complementary to and
consistent with, the bilateral, pluri-lateral and multilateral
rights and obligations of Member States.
- 3. Voluntarism
The work programmes of the
Association will be undertaken by Member States on a voluntary
basis.
4. ConSensus
Decisions on all matters and issues
at all levels, will be taken on the basis of consensus.