Timor-Leste to join Asean as full member by October, says PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Timor-Leste will become a full member of Asean by the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits in October, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said that Timor-Leste has worked hard to meet the requirements for Asean membership, and Malaysia is satisfied with the country's efforts.
"Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries have assisted in many ways to ensure they meet this precondition."
"I would say we are quite satisfied. The decision is to agree that they will be accepted as a full member by the next session in October," Anwar said.
He spoke during his exit press conference after the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits at the KL Convention Centre.
Anwar mentioned that Timor-Leste must meet "one or two" economic preconditions for full membership.
"The consensus was to ensure their entry by October," he said.
Currently, Asean's 10 member states are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines.
Anwar briefly mentioned that Asean is negotiating a free-trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
As the Asean chair this year, Malaysia aims to develop tangible programmes benefiting ordinary people by October.
Anwar said various ministries and officials must start working on these initiatives for introduction by October.
"So by October, we want to see results. We want to see real change that benefits people," he said.
Anwar credited the success of the 46th Asean Summit to the hard work of government officials.
"It is unprecedented that things usually discussed in October are being done now. We are moving forward, and this is a major change," he added.
Anwar said the 46th Asean Summit achieved its objectives by bringing the GCC and China together.
"This is our first inaugural meeting. There was a series of discussions and a detailed joint statement," he added.
He said that discussions at the 46th Asean Summit were fruitful.
"There is a dramatic change in attitude. The South China Sea was discussed, and we saw exchanges between the Philippines and China."
"I'm not saying these issues can be resolved, but there is meaningful and positive engagement. That is the spirit of Asean," said Anwar.
The second day of the 46th Asean Summit featured the second Asean-GCC Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit.
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