Timor-Leste officially deposited its Instruments of Accession to the ASEAN Charter, marking its historic admission as the 11th member of the bloc.
KUALA LUMPUR: Timor-Leste has officially deposited its Instruments of Accession to the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone.
This formal act marks its admission as the 11th member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan described the occasion as a historic milestone for regional integration.
“It is a historic moment that greets us today,” he said in his remarks during the ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur.
Mohamad stated that Malaysia, as the current Chair of ASEAN, extended its warmest congratulations to the government and people of Timor-Leste.
“Today, we celebrate you, a nation built on courage, perseverance and unyielding hope, as you join a family that has long awaited your full inclusion,” he said.
He welcomed Timor-Leste to the ASEAN Family and to the organisation’s venerated Charter.
Mohamad characterised the ASEAN Charter as the heartbeat of the bloc’s shared vision and a covenant of trust, respect and solidarity.
“By acceding to the Charter, Timor-Leste has pledged to walk hand-in-hand with us, weaving the aspirations of its people into the fabric of our ever-evolving ASEAN community,” he added.
Through the SEANWFZ Treaty, Timor-Leste also commits to ensuring Southeast Asia remains free from nuclear weapons.
Mohamad emphasised that these accessions reflect Timor-Leste’s faith in ASEAN’s ideals and belief in a collective future.
He acknowledged the long journey Timor-Leste has undertaken from its struggles for independence to patient pursuit of ASEAN membership.
“The story of Timor-Leste is one of remarkable tenacity,” Mohamad noted.
He added that Timor-Leste brings new energy, fresh perspectives and a youthful population to enrich ASEAN collectively.
Mohamad expressed his firm belief that Timor-Leste’s full participation will further deepen regional cohesion.
“So today, we are not just welcoming a new member,” he stated.
He said the occasion reaffirms belief in an ASEAN that is inclusive, resilient and future-ready.
The last country to join ASEAN before Timor-Leste was Cambodia, which became the 10th member on April 30, 1999.
Timor-Leste gained independence in 2002 from neighbouring Indonesia after a UN-supervised referendum in 1999.
The nation officially applied for ASEAN membership in 2011, reflecting its long-standing aspiration to join the regional community.
ASEAN member states agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste in November 2022, granting it observer status with a roadmap for full membership.
A signing ceremony of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN will be held tomorrow.
This ceremony will be attended by ASEAN heads of state and government. – Bernama
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