DILI, 20 january 2025 (TATOLI) – The ASEAN Foreign Ministers have expressed commitment to support Timor-Leste’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The commitment was conveyed during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat), held on 19 january 2025 in Langkawi, Malaysia, where Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister, Bendito Freitas also attended as Observer.
“ASEAN Foreign Ministers welcomed Timor-Leste’s progress in implementing the roadmap for Timor-Leste’s full membership and expressed commitment to facilitate Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN,” said Minister Hasan in a press conference at the end of the AMM Retreat, on sunday.
He said many ministers highlighted the need to support Timor-Leste’s efforts through capacity building and specific technical support programs.
“We looked forward to Timor-Leste being a full member of ASEAN, and recognised the progress made by Timor-Leste in implementing the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership, as well as welcomed the enhanced participation of Timor-Leste in ASEAN Meetings following the adoption of the revised Guidelines for the Implementation of the Observer Status Granted to Timor-Leste,” said in a statement.
The ministers also called on ASEAN external partners to continue providing capacity-building assistance to Timor-Leste: “We looked forward to the establishment of the Timor-Leste Unit in the ASEAN Secretariat, to intensify efforts in facilitating Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN.”
Minister Freitas, in an interview with Bernama TV, expressed Timor-Leste’s desire to officially join ASEAN under Malaysia’s Chairmanship.
Minister Freitas described 2025 as a pivotal year for Timor-Leste, calling it a “decisive and historic moment” for his country, Bernama reported. “Timor-Leste, I think, is small as we are, but we have our voices in diplomacy, in international relations, also combined with other memberstates of ASEAN, we can be one power, one voice together as ASEAN voice, reinforcing unity and centrality.”
Timor-Leste began its bid for ASEAN membership in 2011, nine years after its independence in 2002.
TATOLI
