Portugal is committed to strengthening Timor-Leste’s role in the regional and global context, always open to promoting dialogue based on a common commitment to the construction of effective multilateralism, according to a statement published on the Presidency of the Republic’s website.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa emphasized that Timor-Leste’s full integration into ASEAN constitutes a decisive step in strengthening the country’s partnerships in the region, aiming at deepening economic and social cohesion and investment in policies that promote sustainable development.
Timor-Leste became the 11th member of ASEAN today, following more than a decade of preparation that began in 2011 with the submission of its application for admission.
The full membership in the association was granted in Kuala Lumpur during the 47th ASEAN Summit of Heads of State and Government, which will continue until Tuesday.
ASEAN was established in 1967 by Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, and later joined by Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. With a population of 676.6 million, ASEAN is the third most populous region in the world, following India and China.
