Malaysia, Timor-Leste hold bilateral talks on Asean integration, regional cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 - Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, together with his counterparts from all ASEAN member states, as well as Timor-Leste and the ASEAN Secretary-General, attends the 29th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) today. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan held a bilateral meeting with his Timor-Leste counterpart, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, on the sidelines of the 46th Asean Summit here.

The meeting represents a significant step forward in strengthening engagement between Malaysia and Timor-Leste, consistent with Asean’s vision of fostering a more inclusive and cohesive regional community.

It is understood that the discussions centred on enhancing bilateral relations and reaffirming Malaysia’s continued support for Timor-Leste’s aspiration to attain full Asean membership.

Both ministers also explored potential areas of cooperation, particularly in education, capacity building, and regional connectivity.

The 46th Asean Summit is being convened under Malaysia’s 2025 Chairmanship theme, "Inclusivity and Sustainability.”

This year marks Malaysia’s fifth term as Asean Chair, following previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.

In conjunction with the summit, two pivotal high-level engagements - the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit - will be convened, serving as strategic platforms to advance regional and inter-regional cooperation.- Bernama