KUALA LUMPUR: With most accession criteria met, Timor-Leste is aiming to wrap up its bid to join Asean by year-end, says Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao.
He said this was based on the strong confidence and support expressed by member states in Timor-Leste’s progress.
“I believe so,” Gusmao affirmed when asked about the likelihood of completing the accession process by the year-end.
“We will try our best. We’ve completed many criteria already, but of course there are still two or three things that we will have to do,” he told reporters when met at the 46th Asean Summit.
Gusmao highlighted the remarkable solidarity shown by Asean member states towards Timor-Leste’s bid.
“Yes, because everybody supports us ... everybody. It was incredible.
“You know why? Because they saw a small country, alone there,” he said.
Timor-Leste first applied for the association’s membership in 2011 and its journey towards Asean membership has been marked by significant milestones, including its observer status granted in 2022.
In the run-up the summit, Malaysia, Laos and the Philippines have reiterated their support for Timor-Leste’s full Asean membership.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that Asean is considering a proposal to set a timeline for Timor-Leste’s full membership, even before it meets all legal requirements, possibly within five years.
He said the move reflects Malaysia’s Asean theme of inclusivity and sustainability, adding that Timor-Leste, as a regional country, deserves full membership.
However, said Timor-Leste must put in extra effort to attain full Asean membership, including adopting key guidelines under the Asean Foreign Ministers’ framework concerning the association’s legal instruments.
On the same issue, Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn noted that Timor-Leste is steadily carving its place in the regional grouping’s family, with several milestones already achieved under the official roadmap.
