KUALA LUMPUR: Timor-Leste is inching closer to full Asean membership, with Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão hopeful of achieving this by the end of the year.
He said this optimism is based on the strong confidence and support expressed by Asean member states regarding Timor-Leste’s progress.
"I believe so," Gusmão said when asked about the likelihood of completing the accession process by the end of 2025.
"We will try our best. We’ve completed many criteria already, but there are still one, two, or three things we need to do," he told reporters at the Asean Summit held here on Monday (May 26).
The Prime Minister highlighted the remarkable solidarity shown by Asean member states towards Timor-Leste’s bid.
"Yes, yes, because everybody supports us. Everybody. It was incredible. You know why? Because they saw a small country, alone there," he said.
Timor-Leste’s journey towards Asean membership has been marked by significant milestones, including its observer status granted in 2022.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Timor-Leste must put in extra effort to attain full Asean membership.
This includes adopting key guidelines under the Asean Foreign Ministers’ framework concerning the bloc’s legal instruments.
