Malaysia's Leadership Shines At Asean Summit With Key Milestones And Global Partnership
GENERAL
By Wong Chun Wai
KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 (Bernama) -- Undoubtedly, the ASEAN Summit held in the capital earlier this week concluded on a high note, marking a significant moment for regional diplomacy and Malaysia's leadership on the Southeast Asian stage.
Several key milestones were achieved at the meeting, which was attended by leaders from all ten ASEAN member states and key dialogue partners.
One of the most significant outcomes of the summit was the formal announcement that Timor-Leste will become a full member of ASEAN by October 2025.
Membership in ASEAN is never an easy path for any country, as the regional bloc works on a consensus basis. All it takes is for a member country to oppose the new entrant, and it goes out the window.
There have been some anxious moments for the youngest Asian nation, which has just a 1.5 million population, with one Timor Leste diplomat joking that 'going to heaven is easier than joining ASEAN.'
Resource-rich Timor-Leste occupies the eastern part of the island of Timor, at the far eastern tip of the Indonesian archipelago.
But with its biggest supporter, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, pushing for its entrance into ASEAN, there were plenty of behind-the-scenes persuasions to ensure a consensus was met.
After years of preparation and observer participation, Timor-Leste's accession was unanimously endorsed.
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