Growing Cambodia–Timor-Leste Relations and Cambodia’s Steadfast Support for Timor-Leste’s Accession into ASEAN
By : CHUN Sovannarith, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
When I was entrusted by the Royal Government of Cambodia under the wise and dynamic leadership of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the guidance of H.E. Deputy Prime Minister PRAK Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to serve as Ambassador to Timor-Leste, I felt deeply honored. It is both a privilege and a solemn duty to represent my beloved nation, to promote friendship and cooperation, and to contribute to peace and prosperity in our region.
A Mission of Friendship and Cooperation
As Ambassador, I am tasked with implementing Cambodia’s proactive and strategic foreign policy guided by the Six-Point Policy Guidelines of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFA.IC). These principles emphasize deepening bilateral relations, strengthening multilateralism, upholding ASEAN Centrality, promoting economic diplomacy and cultural exchange, advancing public diplomacy, and enhancing institutional capacity in our foreign service.
My mission in Dili is clear: to accelerate positive momentum and deepen the bonds of brotherhood between Cambodia and Timor-Leste across the three pillars of political-security, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation. This includes facilitating high-level visits, implementing existing bilateral agreements, promoting connectivity, enhancing cooperation in food and energy security, and exploring mechanisms such as a Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation. Above all, one of my key priorities is to assist and support Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN as the 11th Member State.
A Relationship Rooted in Brotherhood
Cambodia and Timor-Leste share a special bond founded on mutual respect, shared history, and a common vision for peace. Our diplomatic relations were established on 29 July 2002, just 69 days after Timor-Leste’s restoration of independence. This reflects the depth of Cambodia’s goodwill and support for Timor-Leste from the very beginning.
Over the years, our relationship has grown stronger through frequent high-level exchanges and cooperation in education, human resource development, and trade. Cambodia has provided scholarships for Timorese students to study in Phnom Penh and training opportunities under the Future Leaders for ASEAN program. Timorese officials have also visited Cambodia to learn from our economic and development experiences. The opening of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Dili stands as a visible symbol of Cambodia’s political support and friendship for Timor-Leste.
Cambodia’s Steadfast Support for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Membership
Cambodia has been a consistent and strong advocate for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership since it first applied in 2011. During Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022, ASEAN Leaders agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste as a future Member State, granting it observer status and the right to participate in all ASEAN meetings, including the ASEAN Summits.
Working closely with Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship and other ASEAN Member States, Cambodia has continued to support and facilitate Timor-Leste’s progress. This year marks a historic milestone: at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October 2025, Timor-Leste is scheduled to be officially admitted as the 11th Member State of ASEAN.
This success reflects not only Timor-Leste’s efforts and determination but also Cambodia’s tireless commitment to help its brother nation achieve its long-cherished goal — joining the ASEAN family, a community united in diversity and solidarity.
Why ASEAN Matters
ASEAN is the cornerstone of Cambodia’s foreign policy and a pillar of peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia. Since joining ASEAN in 1999, Cambodia has benefited immensely from regional integration, economic growth, and diplomatic cooperation.
Four key lessons stand out from Cambodia’s ASEAN journey:
- The Principle of Non-Interference — This fundamental ASEAN value has ensured peace and stability by respecting national sovereignty and preventing external interference, a principle deeply valued by Cambodia given its own historical experiences.
- Consensus and Dialogue — The ASEAN Way of decision-making through dialogue, consultation, and consensus ensures unity and equality among all Member States, regardless of size or wealth and age.
- Socio-Economic Integration — Through initiatives such as the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI), Cambodia has benefited from human capital development, trade facilitation, and the narrowing of the development gap.
- A Gateway to the World — ASEAN serves as Cambodia’s bridge to the global economy, enabling trade, investment, and diplomatic engagement.
Today, ASEAN is home to 678 million people, with a combined GDP of USD 3.8 trillion, making it the fifth largest economy in the world. ASEAN’s total trade reached USD 3.5 trillion in 2024, and intra-ASEAN trade now accounts for over 21% of the region’s total. With the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and multiple Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), ASEAN has positioned itself as the epicenter of global growth and a model of regional cooperation.
ASEAN is more than a platform for dialogue. It is a community that acts with purpose and upholds fundamental principles that bind us together.
A Region of Peace and Prosperity
Beyond economics, ASEAN has proven to be a force for peace and stability. Through ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), and others, ASEAN provides platforms for dialogue and preventive diplomacy among nations. The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) further strengthens openness, transparency, inclusivity, and regional ownership, ensuring that Southeast Asia remains a zone of peace rather than a battleground for power rivalry.
A Shared Future
As Timor-Leste prepares to join ASEAN this October, I am filled with pride and optimism. Timor-Leste’s accession will not only complete the geographical composition of ASEAN but also reaffirm the organization’s commitment to inclusivity and solidarity. It is a testament to ASEAN’s enduring spirit — One Vision, One Identity, One Community.
Cambodia looks forward to working closely with Timor-Leste and all ASEAN Member States to realize the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, building a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN Community for a peaceful and prosperous region.
Long live the Cambodia–Timor-Leste brotherly bonds of friendship! Long live ASEAN unity for regional peace and prosperity!
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