KUALA LUMPUR: Asean is set to officially become an 11-member regional grouping with Timor-Leste now one step closer to becoming its member.
This is after the country deposited the Instrument of Accession to the Asean Charter, signifying its formal admission to Asean and underscoring its commitment to Asean’s principles and values.
The instrument was deposited by Timor-Leste Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito Freitas yesterday.
Also present at the ceremony were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan – as Malaysia is the Asean Chair – and Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
Timor-Leste also deposited the Instrument of Accession to the South-East Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty – a commitment by the member states to prevent the development, possession, and use of nuclear weapons in the region and to keep it free from other weapons of mass destruction.
Freitas said the event marked a historic moment for the country.
“This is important for us, joining voices in one family. We’ll get stronger together and rise together,” he said on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits yesterday.
Welcoming Timor-Leste on behalf of Malaysia and Asean, Mohamad described the moment as historic.
“This effectively marks Timor-Leste’s full admission as the 11th member of Asean, and the expansion of Asean’s scope to include each and every sovereign state in this home we share.
“Today we celebrate you, a nation built on courage, perseverance, and unyielding hope, as you join a family that has long awaited your full inclusion,” he said in his remarks after the ceremony.
Mohamad added that the Asean charter is the heartbeat of the regional grouping’s shared vision, a covenant of trust, respect, and solidarity that has bounded the diverse nations together, in pursuit of peace and prosperity.
“By acceding to the charter, Timor-Leste has pledged to walk hand-in-hand with us, weaving the aspirations of its people, into the fabric of our ever-evolving Asean community,” he said.
He said Timor-Leste brings new energy, fresh perspectives, and a youthful population ready to contribute, adding that it would enrich Asean not only in terms of demography, but politically, culturally, and economically.
The signing of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into Asean will take place today during the opening of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
