Africa-Press – Cape verde. Timor-Leste’s full membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will take place in October during the organization’s second summit of heads of state, the Timorese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today.
“In a historic statement during the 46th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim officially announced that Timor-Leste will achieve full membership of ASEAN at the next ASEAN Summit, scheduled for October 2025, also in Kuala Lumpur,” reads a text published on the Facebook page of the Timorese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“This is a historic moment, not only for Timor-Leste, but for the entire ASEAN family. Timor-Leste’s journey towards full membership reflects our collective vision of a united, cohesive and future-oriented ASEAN,” said the Malaysian Prime Minister, quoted in the text released by the Timorese government.
ASEAN, currently chaired by Malaysia, holds two annual heads of state summits.
ASEAN member states reached an agreement in principle in November 2022 to integrate Timor-Leste into the regional organization, with the country gaining observer status and being able to participate in all meetings, including summits.
The Timorese Presidency and Government had set the year 2025 as the date for full membership.
ASEAN was created in 1967 by Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines and aims to promote cooperation among member states to ensure peace, stability and economic, social and cultural development in the region.
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam are also members of the regional organization.
ASEAN heads of state are meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which holds the rotating presidency of the organization, for the 46th summit of the organization and also for the second summit with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
In addition to those meetings, the first summit between ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council and China will also take place.
Timor-Leste was represented at the summit by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, who leads a high-level delegation that includes several ministers and deputy ministers from the Timorese executive.
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