DILI, 28 October 2025 (TATOLI) – The President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has congratulated Timor-Leste on its accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), formalized on Sunday during the organization’s 47th Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
According to a statement from the Portuguese Presidency accessed by TATOLI, “the full integration represents a decisive step toward strengthening Timor-Leste’s partnerships in the region, aiming to deepen economic and social cohesion and invest in policies that promote sustainable development.”
The same source said Portugal strongly supports the enhancement of Timor-Leste’s role at both regional and global levels, promoting dialogue and effective multilateralism.
Since Timor-Leste’s formal application in 2011, ASEAN has closely followed the country’s progress through an evaluation and capacity-building process.
In 2022, ASEAN leaders agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste as an observer member. The following year, in 2023, they adopted a Roadmap for Full Membership, designed to guide the country’s institutional and technical preparations for accession.
By 2025, after meeting most of the established criteria, Timor-Leste was deemed ready for full integration into the regional bloc, which represents more than 660 million people.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
