KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Southeast Asian leaders have officially endorsed Timor-Leste as the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the 47th ASEAN Summit held this week in Kuala Lumpur. The accession marks the bloc’s first expansion since the late 1990s and is seen as a significant step in advancing political and economic integration across the region.
During the ceremonial session, the Timor-Leste flag was raised alongside the flags of other ASEAN members, symbolizing the country’s full entry into the organization after years of diplomatic preparation and institutional adjustments. Timor-Leste’s leaders described the moment as a historic milestone reflecting the nation’s long-standing aspiration to join the regional community.
In addition to welcoming its newest member, ASEAN also signed the upgraded ASEAN–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA 3.0). The new framework expands cooperation into strategic areas including digital trade, renewable energy, supply-chain resilience, and pharmaceutical development. Leaders emphasized that the agreement aims to boost regional competitiveness and strengthen economic stability amid global trade uncertainties.
The summit likewise addressed ongoing security concerns, particularly in Myanmar. ASEAN foreign ministers noted deep concern over continued violence, but the bloc refrained from deploying election observers to the upcoming military-led polls, maintaining its cautious diplomatic stance.
Meanwhile, Thailand and Cambodia formalized a border cooperation declaration, underscoring ASEAN’s commitment to peaceful dispute resolution and regional stability.
For Indonesia, the developments present new opportunities in investment, trade, and regional connectivity. However, aligning capacities among member states, particularly with Timor-Leste’s developing institutions, is expected to remain a policy challenge.
Overall, this year’s summit reaffirmed ASEAN’s ambition to reinforce its geopolitical role, promote economic resilience, and foster long-term stability within the Asia-Pacific region.
Source :
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/east-timor-asias-youngest-nation-becomes-aseans-11th-member-2025-10-26/?utm
https://apnews.com/article/fbc05e88d80a998a5ea542806437a76c?utm
Komentar
Posting Komentar