Timor-Leste Seeks Stronger Diplomacy, Economic Growth As It Joins ASEAN

SEPANG, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- Timor-Leste aims to strengthen its diplomacy and economic growth as it prepares to formally join ASEAN, said Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas.

He said the country was proud to finally become part of the ASEAN family, calling it an important step towards deeper cooperation with all member states.

“We share the joy because it's a long struggle for our liberation, and this year, we celebrate 50 years of our struggle and are formally getting into the ASEAN family. 

“I think this is very important for us for enhancing our levels of diplomacy and economic growth, and it's very important for deeper cooperation with all member states,” he told Bernama upon his arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport for the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits today.

As one of the region’s youngest nations, Timor-Leste will also use the ASEAN platform to raise regional and humanitarian concerns on the global stage, Freitas said.

“(We would like) to voice out our interests in the international arena, diplomacy, foreign affairs and also taking humanitarian issues together as a voice of ASEAN family,” he said.

Timor-Leste will be officially made a member of ASEAN on Oct 26.

On Wednesday (Oct 22), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed Malaysia’s strong support for Timor-Leste’s accession as a member of ASEAN, describing it as a rightful and timely step for the young nation to join the regional bloc.

Anwar said Timor-Leste, which had long participated in regional affairs during its time under Indonesia, had earned its place through determination and perseverance, and should now be accorded the opportunity to benefit from ASEAN’s collective progress.

Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair this year under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, will host the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 26 to 28.

The summit will gather leaders from the 10 ASEAN member states and dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan and India.

Expected to be the largest ASEAN gathering since its inception in 1967, it will welcome global leaders such as US President Donald Trump, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

This marks Malaysia’s fifth time chairing ASEAN, following its previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.

-- BERNAMA