ASEAN Economic Ministers Affirm Support For Timor-Leste Full Membership
By Karina Imran, Ahmad Erwan Othman and Maizatul Jamny Muhammad Rosli
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- ASEAN economic ministers have collectively reaffirmed their support for Timor-Leste’s full membership in the regional bloc, paving the way for the country to join as the 11th member state at the 47th ASEAN Summit next month.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said ASEAN’s endorsement highlighted the grouping’s commitment to inclusive growth and regional integration.
He also noted that the initiative would enhance Timor-Leste’s integration into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) framework.
"Next, we look forward to the historical moment when Timor-Leste will be fully admitted as the 11th Member State of ASEAN at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025.
"In this connection, we collectively affirmed support for Timor-Leste’s membership in ASEAN and welcomed continued Capacity Building Programmes to strengthen Timor-Leste’s readiness to meet its obligations under the AEC,” he said at a press conference following the conclusion of the five-day 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) and Related Meetings today.
Echoing his sentiment, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn said the ministers committed to supporting Timor-Leste in the effective implementation of all ASEAN Economic Agreements through targeted capacity building programmes, enabling the country to fully realise the tangible benefits of ASEAN economic integration.
However, he said the ministers noted that further work is required to ensure Timor-Leste's full participation in all ASEAN economic cooperation mechanisms, particularly in its engagement with ASEAN external partners.
Timor-Leste’s application for ASEAN membership was first submitted in 2011, and the country was granted observer status in 2022. Since then, ASEAN has adopted a phased approach to support its integration, including pilot participation in ministerial-level meetings and technical cooperation initiatives.
On another issue, Kao said the AEM also underscored the importance of fostering transparent and constructive dialogue with the private sector to advance ASEAN's regional economic priorities.
“At these meetings, we also encourage the revival of procedures for private sector engagement under the ASEAN Economic Community to establish a more robust, structured and efficient framework for public-private collaboration.
“We also call on all relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies, particularly under the ASEAN Economic Community, to actively engage with the private sector, ensuring that industry insights are fully integrated into ASEAN's policy development processes,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
