KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 – Timor-Leste President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta is confident that ASEAN will admit his country as the eleventh member when Malaysia becomes the bloc’s chairman next year, unlocking trade and economic potential for the young nation.
According to a statement from the Malaysian Embassy in Timor-Leste, Ramos-Horta said that ASEAN membership will become a reality when Malaysia hosts the ASEAN Summit next year, as Malaysia remains a strong supporter of the resource-rich nation’s bid to join the powerful regional grouping.
Malaysia will take over the rotating ASEAN chairmanship from Laos next year.
“Timor-Leste’s integration into ASEAN is expected in 2025 under the chairmanship of Malaysia. We are deeply grateful for Malaysia’s steadfast efforts in this process.
“Timor-Leste and Malaysia enjoy a strong and enduring friendship and partnership, which has deepened since the official visit of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad two decades ago.
“The historic visit marked a new chapter in our robust bilateral ties,” he said in remarks when addressing Malaysia’s 67th National Day ceremony in Timor-Leste’s capital Dili, according to the statement.
Dr Mahathir made his maiden visit to the country in 2003 while in office.
Timor-Leste was awarded observer status during the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits in Cambodia in 2022 while Hun Sen was the prime minister, after almost a decade of negotiations for accession.
Cambodia fully supported Timor-Leste’s entry into the bloc.
