Timor-Leste is officially the 11th Member State of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), marking a historic moment for Southeast Asia’s youngest nation. The decision was formalized during the 47th ASEAN Summit, taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 14 years after the country submitted its application for membership.
“Today, history is made. Timor-Leste was admitted as the 11th Member State of ASEAN. For the people of Timor-Leste, this represents not only the realization of a dream, but an affirmation of our journey, marked by resilience, determination and hope”, declared the Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão, at the ceremony, flanked by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, and the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Kao Kim Hourn.
Xanana stressed that the process was “long and intentional”, reflecting years of diplomacy and institutional preparation. “We join ASEAN with humility and pride, committed to the organization’s core values: mutual respect, peaceful cooperation, unity in diversity and regional solidarity,” he said, adding that membership is “a natural affiliation, rooted in our culture, geography and strategic vision.”
A integration represents an opportunity to strengthen the Timorese economy, currently valued at around 2 billion dollars, much lower than the combined GDP of ASEAN, which amounts to 3.8 billion. Among the priority areas, the Government highlights trade, investment, education and the digital economy.
New opportunities
“We are ready to learn, innovate and promote good governance, strengthening our institutions towards sustainable development”, said the prime minister. Among the priority areas, Xanana highlighted trade, investment, education and the digital economy, arguing that Timor-Leste is ready to strengthen its institutions and promote good governance. “This new beginning brings immense opportunities. We are ready to learn, innovate and grow together”, he highlighted
For Ramos-Horta, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996, joining ASEAN fulfills a vision born in the 1970s, during the Portuguese administration and which persisted throughout the Indonesian occupation. Full independence was only achieved in 2002, with Xanana Gusmão and Ramos-Horta as central figures in the national struggle.
ASEAN, created in 1967, now brings together 11 countries – Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and now Timor-Leste – and around 680 million inhabitantsbeing one of the most economically and geopolitically relevant regions in the world. With this accession, Timor-Leste should strengthen its diplomatic presence and expand its external partnerships in Southeast Asia.
Xanana concluded with a commitment to the future: “Accession is not the end of a journey, but the beginning of a new and inspiring chapter. Timor-Leste will be an active participant in building a peaceful, prosperous and people-centered ASEAN.”
The post “Today, history is made”, said Xanana Gusmão: Timor-Leste becomes the 11th member of ASEAN after a decade and a half of waiting appeared first on Veritas News.
