Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was ___(1)___ on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam ___(2)___ ASEAN on 7 January1984, followed by Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999, ___(3)___ what is today the ten Member States of ASEAN.
ASEAN aims to accelerate the economic growth, social ___(4)___ and cultural development in the region. It also promotes regional peace and stability as well as active collaboration and mutual assistance among the member countries. In addition, ASEAN always wants to ___(5)___ close and beneficial cooperation with other international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.