DILI, 14 February 2025 (TATOLI) – The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Kao Kim Hourn, today, received the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to ASEAN, Natércia Cipriana Coelho da Silva, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat to discuss Timor-Leste’s membership in ASEAN, particularly the progress in the implementation of the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in ASEAN.
“Kao reaffirmed the ASEAN Secretariat’s continued support and assistance to Timor-Leste in achieving the criteria outlined in the Roadmap, including through the operationalization of the Timor-Leste Unit,” said in a statement.
Last month, during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Kao also held a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic Jose Ramos Horta to discuss Timor-Leste’s ongoing process of joining ASEAN. During the meeting, the two discussed Timor-Leste’s progress in meeting ASEAN accession roadmap requirements and strategic next steps for full integration.
Horta previously said: “As we prepare to join ASEAN in 2025, we must thoroughly review all requirements to align with the organization’s objectives.”
Timor-Leste views ASEAN accession as a key priority to spur economic growth through regional cooperation and market access.
Timor-Leste’s bid to join the 10-nation bloc has gained momentum in recent years, with the government implementing reforms to meet the economic, political, and social criteria for accession.
During the WEF, the Head of State told RFI that Timor-Leste’s full membership in ASEAN is ‘a priority,’ adding that the country is therefore expected to join ASEAN this year.
Last week, the Malaysian government pledged US$200,000 to the Timor-Leste Unit at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta to accelerate the country’s accession to ASEAN, BERNAMA reported.
TATOLI News Agency quoted Malaysian Foreign Minister Seri Mohamad Hasan as reporting on February 6 that Malaysia will lead efforts to streamline the membership roadmap, including ensuring Timor-Leste’s participation in 88 ASEAN legal instruments and agreements: “Of these, 69 agreements fall under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), 13 under the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), and six under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC),” Minister Hasan said during the Minister’s question time in the Dewan Rakyat, according to BERNAMA.
Hasan said that during the meeting in Vientiane (Laos), Malaysia suggested that Timor-Leste does not need to fulfill all 88 instruments immediately: “Meeting 20-30 percent would suffice, with time given for gradual compliance, allowing us to integrate them as a permanent ASEAN partner this year.”
TATOLI
