KUALA LUMPUR: Timor-Leste, set to become the 11th member of Asean this weekend, has thanked Malaysia for its active role in the accession process.
Its Trade and Industry Minister Filipus Nino Pereira said Malaysia had greatly assisted Timor-Leste with the process over the past few years.
"Malaysia, particularly the Prime Minister and all Asean components, have given us tremendous support.
"As a small nation, we will adhere to all Asean decisions and strive to contribute to democracy and peace in the region," he told reporters after the Asean Economic Community Council (AECC) meeting held in conjunction with the Asean Summit 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here on Friday (Oct 24).
He said the accession process into Asean also opens opportunities for Timor-Leste to strengthen learning and economic capacity-building through sharing experiences with neighboring countries.
"We are learning, and will continue to learn, to become a member that adds value to the region," he said.
He added that Timor-Leste's participation as Asean's newest member will strengthen the country’s economy through trade and investment potential, while enabling it to benefit from the region’s large market.
He said the move marks an important milestone in accelerating his country’s economic integration and the social development of its people.
"We know that Asean has a market of more than 600 million people. With this participation, Timor-Leste will gain more opportunities to expand trade and investment, and to forge more strategic economic cooperation.
"It is a long-awaited dream for the people of Timor-Leste, as it marks a new beginning in regional trade, investment and diplomatic relations.
"The accession process has gone very smoothly. In two more days (Sunday), Timor-Leste will officially become a full member of Asean," he said.
The nation gained independence in 2002 from neighbouring Indonesia, following a 1999 referendum overseen by the United Nations, and shares a border with the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara.
Two of its independence heroes now lead the country: President Jose Ramos-Horta, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 for his efforts, and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.
