On 30 November 2004, the leaders of the member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and those of Australia and New Zealand, bonded together in the Closer Economic Relations, will meet in Vientiane. They are expected to issue a joint declaration committing themselves to the substantial enrichment of the ties between their two regions, which have been expanding and evolving in ways that are of great benefit to their peoples. This study by Michael Richardson and Chin Kin Wah, Research Fellows at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies,analyses the state of the relationship and its promise and makes well-thought-out recommendations — eighteen in all. It makes very useful reading in anticipation of a historic Summit.