Timor-Leste is on the verge of achieving full membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão expressing strong optimism for accession by the close of 2025. This hopeful outlook is significantly supported by the unwavering confidence and backing from current ASEAN member states, recognizing Timor-Leste’s substantial progress towards meeting the bloc’s criteria.
Prime Minister Gusmão, speaking at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur today, affirmed his belief in the timely completion of the accession process. “I believe so,” Gusmão stated, regarding the likelihood of full membership by year-end. “We will try our best. We’ve completed many criteria already, but there are still one, two, or three things we need to do.”
The Prime Minister underscored the remarkable solidarity shown by ASEAN nations throughout Timor-Leste’s journey. “Yes, yes, because everybody supports us. Everybody. It was incredible. You know why? Because they saw a small country, alone there,” he added, highlighting the collective encouragement received.
Timor-Leste’s path to ASEAN integration has been marked by significant milestones, including the granting of observer status in 2022, a testament to its commitment and ongoing efforts to align with the regional body’s frameworks.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan emphasized the need for Timor-Leste to exert additional effort to secure full membership, particularly in adopting key guidelines under the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ framework concerning the bloc’s legal instruments.
About ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries, which promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and socio-cultural integration among its members and other Asian states.
