DILI, 03 July 2025 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta said Myanmar’s objection will not affect Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN, which is scheduled to take place at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October in Kuala Lumpur.
Horta’s statement came in response to Myanmar’s formal declaration opposing Timor-Leste’s full membership, delivered to Malaysia, the host of the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit.
Myanmar’s official position, recently presented to Kuala Lumpur, claimed Timor-Leste has failed to adhere to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, Thai PBS World Reported.
The Head of State said that Myanmar’s objeciton has no impact on Timor-Leste’s accession process, as the decision was already made at the 46th ASEAN Summit in May, where it was officially announced that Timor-Leste would become ASEAN’s 11th member in October.
Horta dismissed Myanmar’s position, saying preparations for Timor-Leste’s official admission are already underway and there are no obstacles preventing the country’s full integration into ASEAN.
He said that it is up to the country chair of the 47th summit, Malaysia, to handle negotiations with the Myanmar authorities,” Horta said.
Horta stressed that the majority of ASEAN member states have already acknowledged Timor-Leste’s readiness to join the bloc and that there is no need to be concerned about Myanmar’s position.
According to Article 6(2)(b) of the ASEAN Charter concerning the acceptance of new members, the addmission must be acknowledged by all current ASEAN Member States. Furthermore, Article 6(3) specifies that the admission decision must be reached by consensus during the ASEAN Summit, based on the recommendation of the ASEAN Coordinating Council.
Timor-Leste began its bid for ASEAN membership in 2011, nine years after its independence in 2002.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
