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EU leaders have repeatedly criticised human rights violations in Association of Southeast Asian States (ASEAN) member states.

But Surin Pitsuwan, former Secretary General of ASEAN, hit back by launching a stunning attack on the union last night.

He claimed EU countries fail to "respect" Brussels' diktats and suggested member states do not act "honestly".

Ten countries make up the south-east Asian alliance which was formed in 1967 including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Mr Pitsuwan said: "The Europeans can not expect the world to revolve around their own ideas, just as it did a century or two hundred years ago.

"The colonial period is over. We work differently from Europe. We do not have strict rules, such as the level of debt which are then not respected."

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European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker greets EU Commission Chief spokesperson Margaritis Schinas

South-east Asia has long regarded European integration as model to follow.

However, the Eurozone debt crisis and the migrant crisis have both led to a growing skepticism about a supranational model.

Several ASEAN states have renounced plans for a common currency, fearing could plunge them into financial turmoil.

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Every problem of a member state can infect the others

Surin Pitsuwan

Speaking during an interview to mark ASEAN's 50th anniversary, Mr Pitsuwan added: "We in Asia have learned that we have to deal with each other honestly and cautiously.

"We communicate at all levels. We know that every problem of a member state can infect the others.

"In the West, individualism dominates. Here in Asia, however, we still need a controlling hand that is recognisable.

"However, it seems to me that Europe is now taking a step back and emphasising the role of the state again."

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The founding ofASEAN in 1967coincided with the Vietnam War and was originally aimed at curbing the rise of communism.

With an annual economic growth of about five per cent, its members form one of the most dynamic economic areas in the world.

For the European Union, the ASEAN region is its third largest trading partner after the United States and China.

Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg

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'EU is taking a STEP BACK' Asia distances itself from Brussels as Eurozone crisis grows - Express.co.uk