Singapore Pledges to Step Up Efforts for Timor-Leste Ahead of ASEAN Full Membership in October
DILI, 28 May 2025 (TATOLI) – Singapore has reaffirmed its commitment to step up efforts to support Timor-Leste as the country moves closer to becoming the 11th full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in October.
The decision to officially admit Timor-Leste as a new member of the bloc was announced during the 46th ASEAN Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur under the chairmanship of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, marking a historic milestone in the bloc’s expansion.
Singapore’s Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, underscored his country’s longstanding support for Timor-Leste’s development and ASEAN aspirations.
“As Timor-Leste prepares for full membership in October and works to complete negotiations on key ASEAN economic agreements, Singapore will step up our efforts to support Timor-Leste so that it can contribute fully to ASEAN’s integration and community-building efforts,” Balakrishnan said in a Facebook post.
He said that Singapore supported Timor-Leste as it worked to implement the 2023 Roadmap. “We offered technical assistance support through the Singapore-Timor-Leste ASEAN Readiness Support (STARS), and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI).”
Balakrishnan recalled that following Timor-Leste’s independence in 2002, Singapore contributed to Timor-Leste’s stability and development through our UN peacekeeping efforts, investments, and capability building support in areas such as education and urban planning.
Singapore established its embassy in Dili in April 2024, marking a major milestone in bilateral relations between the two nations.
Timor-Leste’s expected accession to ASEAN in October represents not only the bloc’s first enlargement in over two decades but also a reaffirmation of its dedication to inclusive regional growth and cooperation.
The upcoming membership will offer Timor-Leste greater access to regional trade, political dialogue, and development opportunities, while reinforcing ASEAN’s position as a united and forward-looking community in Southeast Asia.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
