DILI, 07 October 2025 (TATOLI) — His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, congratulated Timor-Leste ahead of its formal admission as the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the upcoming ASEAN Summit scheduled for 26 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The congratulatory message was conveyed during a bilateral meeting between Timor-Leste’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in Bandar Seri Begawan, on Monday.
His Majesty reaffirmed Brunei Darussalam’s continued support for Timor-Leste’s integration into the ASEAN family and highlighted the friendly and brotherly relations between the two nations.
He also conveyed his best wishes to President Dr. José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, commending the progress Timor-Leste has made in its regional engagement.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and exploring practical areas of cooperation that contribute to regional peace, prosperity, and solidarity, consistent with the ASEAN Vision 2025–2045.
Minister Freitas expressed deep appreciation for Brunei’s steadfast support of Timor-Leste’s ASEAN accession and emphasized that “the most important work begins after accession,” as the country embarks on its journey toward ASEAN post-accession integration.
Freitas said that Timor-Leste looks forward to working closely with Brunei to identify specific areas of cooperation, leveraging Brunei’s institutional strengths and expertise to support Timor-Leste’s institutional strengthening and human resource development.
According to Minister Freitas, such collaboration will enable Timor-Leste to actively participate and meaningfully contribute to ASEAN’s regional initiatives.
During the meeting, Minister Freitas also conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Gusmão to His Majesty.
The discussion reaffirmed the strong foundation of friendship, mutual respect, and brotherhood that continues to guide relations between Timor-Leste and Brunei Darussalam.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
