Kuala lumpur: Timor-Leste’s participation as an observer at the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur starting Tuesday marks a significant step towards its full integration into the regional bloc, with membership expected to be formalised at the ASEAN Summit in October.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, security and political analyst from the Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Selangor Dr. Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin, noted that Timor-Leste’s active engagement as an observer has laid a strong foundation for its eventual accession as a full ASEAN member. He emphasized the progressive relationship between ASEAN leaders and Timor-Leste, highlighting the regional bloc’s unanimous agreement on Timor-Leste’s accession since the country attained observer status in 2022.
In May, ASEAN leaders agreed to accept Timor-Leste as the 11th member of the regional bloc at the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October, contingent upon the fulfillment of several remaining requirements for full membership. This decision underscores the bloc’s unified political will to welcome the country as its 11th member and support its institutional readiness.
Timor-Leste, which gained independence in 2002, was granted observer status in ASEAN in 2022 and has since been working towards full membership based on a structured Roadmap endorsed by the regional bloc. During the ASEAN summit in May, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn highlighted Timor-Leste’s growing engagement, noting the country’s high attendance rate at ASEAN meetings.
Dr. Noor Nirwandy pointed out that ASEAN members need to continue focusing on providing technical and institutional support to ensure a smooth transition to full membership for Timor-Leste. He mentioned the need for the country to comply with technical and political requirements, as well as legal instruments related to free trade services frameworks and other necessary measures.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who chaired the AMM held on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit in May, acknowledged Timor-Leste’s progress in implementing the ASEAN Roadmap. He emphasized the need for Timor-Leste to intensify efforts to meet all legal requirements, particularly those under the ASEAN Economic Community, aiming for formalized membership during the ASEAN Summit with Dialogue Partners at the end of October.
Meanwhile, Malaysian geo-strategist Prof Dr. Azmi Hassan highlighted the strategic importance of Timor-Leste’s accession amidst growing geopolitical competition, with superpowers like China and the United States showing increased interest in the nation. He stressed that ASEAN should integrate Timor-Leste to prevent external influence from superpowers.
Indonesia, which along with Malaysia has supported Timor-Leste’s application from the outset, stands to benefit from its full membership. Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry, Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin, confirmed that Timor-Leste’s full membership is officially scheduled during the 47th ASEAN Summit in October, with the first day marking the official effective date of its membership.
The 58th AMM, scheduled from July 8 to 11, is expected to gather approximately 1,500 delegates, including foreign ministers from ASEAN member states, Timor-Leste, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) participating countries, Sectoral Dialogue Partners, and senior officials from the ASEAN Secretariat. Malaysia is hosting the AMM as part of its fifth ASEAN Chairmanship.