DILI, 26 February 2026 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta on Tuesday met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi.
The leaders focused their discussions on Timor-Leste’s membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with Horta highlighting Malaysia’s consistent support for Timor-Leste’s bid to join the regional bloc since diplomatic relations were established.
“During the meeting, Prime Minister Ibrahim reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s full integration into ASEAN, expressing hope that formal membership would be finalized during Malaysia’s presidency of the organization,” said in a statement.
Both leaders acknowledged the challenges facing ASEAN while recognizing Timor-Leste’s progress in meeting membership requirements.
The discussion also explored potential economic cooperation, with talks centered on Timor-Leste’s Sovereign Fund and investment opportunities in Malaysia, as well as joint ventures in Timor-Leste. This meeting further strengthened bilateral relations between the two nations and underscored their shared commitment to regional stability and prosperity.
TATOLI
