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Timor-Leste's Accession To ASEAN Crucial For Economic Advantage, Stronger Voice

Timor-Leste foreign minister, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, addresses a press conference held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED By Vikneswaran Raman KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- The accession of Timor-Leste as a full ASEAN member is vital not merely for economic advantage but also for a stronger voice in diplomacy, according to the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas. In this regard, he is optimistic about gaining full membership status by end of this year during Malaysia's chairmanship, after being granted observer status three years ago. Freitas said the 46th ASEAN Summit taking place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre could gradually open the door for the Portuguese and Tetum-speaking nation to achieve ASEAN membership. 'We've done our best through institutional coordination activities, in addition to working with ASEAN member states and participating in capacity-building programmes. These efforts are crucial for fulfilling the roadmap adopted at the 43rd Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. 'I truly appreciate and commend Malaysia's chairmanship, which is very important and supportive of our efforts. We believe and are confident that this summit can, at the very least, slowly open the door (for us) to be a full member of ASEAN,' he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit here today. He added that Timor-Leste has also established a dedicated unit within the ASEAN Secretariat, with support from all ASEAN member states, particularly Malaysia, to advance its membership aspirations. Freitas said full membership is crucial for the small nation of 1.4 million people, not only for economic benefits but also due to its strategic location between Indonesia and Australia within the framework of ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. 'As part of the ASEAN family, we can both contribute to and benefit from support in areas such as diplomacy, politics, regional cooperation and multilateral engagement.