Timor-Leste Eyes Full ASEAN Membership By Year-end, Citing Strong Regional Support

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Timor-Leste is optimistic about securing full membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by the end of this year, with October being a possible milestone.

Its Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, expressing confidence in the process, said the country has made significant progress in meeting the required criteria.

“We hope to conclude the process by year-end, possibly October, as there is broad support from ASEAN member states.

“We have done our best and fulfilled most of the necessary requirements. Of course, there are still one or two or three (remaining requirements); we will do it (we are working hard to fulfil them),” he told reporters during a doorstep interview before attending the 14th ASEAN-AIPA (ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly) Leaders’ Interface, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit today. 

Timor-Leste, which first applied for ASEAN membership in 2011, was granted observer status at high-level meetings in 2022. However, its full integration is still under evaluation.

Timor Leste’s Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, said yesterday that joining ASEAN is not just about economic gains but also about amplifying Timor-Leste’s voice on the regional stage. 

“Full membership is vital for the small nation of 1.4 million people, not only for economic benefits but also highlighted the country’s strategic position between Indonesia and Australia, aligning with ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.”

-- BERNAMA