Is Timor Leste set to join ASEAN next year?
Leaders from numerous ASEAN countries recently expressed support for Timor Leste's membership by the following year, at a foreign ministers' retreat in Luang Prabang.
Malaysia, in particular, which will assume chairmanship in 2025, is keen to lead an 11-member ASEAN.
Past expansions saw Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar swiftly integrated into ASEAN in 1995 and 1997, post the Indochina war. Cambodia followed in 1999, delayed by internal issues.
Despite initial concerns about their diverse economies and political systems potentially hindering ASEAN’s progress, these countries have largely adapted well. Myanmar is a notable outlier, its military coup resulting in its political representatives being barred from ASEAN meetings since April 2021.
Previously, in the post-Cold War era, Southeast Asian nations focused on development, maintaining peace, and transforming from conflict zones into economically prosperous markets.
Currently, Timor Leste, despite being the region's youngest democracy and poorest nation, is pushing for ASEan membership, which may complicate its accession.
ASEAN prioritizes economic and social readiness over political structure, requiring English proficiency and the ability to participate in and host numerous meetings.
Since last year, Timor Leste has been observing ASEAN meetings, with the opportunity to contribute ideas while awaiting full membership. After gaining independence in 2002, it expressed a desire to join ASEAN and the South Pacific Forum.
Timor Leste submitted a formal application to ASEAN in 2011, seeing itself as a bridge between Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Working towards meeting ASEAN's requirements, one of the key steps for Timor Leste has been the establishment of embassies in all member states, strengthening its capacity across ASEAN's political, security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars.
A roadmap for Timor Leste’s accession, requiring adherence to 66 key agreements within ASEAN, has been endorsed. ASEAN leaders are set to gather again in Melbourne for a special summit with Australia, marking their 50-year relationship, which may also touch on Timor Leste's prospective membership.
By then, there should be clearer indications about Timor Leste becoming ASEAN's 11th member state next year.
Past expansions saw Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar swiftly integrated into ASEAN in 1995 and 1997, post the Indochina war. Cambodia followed in 1999, delayed by internal issues.
Despite initial concerns about their diverse economies and political systems potentially hindering ASEAN’s progress, these countries have largely adapted well. Myanmar is a notable outlier, its military coup resulting in its political representatives being barred from ASEAN meetings since April 2021.
Previously, in the post-Cold War era, Southeast Asian nations focused on development, maintaining peace, and transforming from conflict zones into economically prosperous markets.
Currently, Timor Leste, despite being the region's youngest democracy and poorest nation, is pushing for ASEan membership, which may complicate its accession.
ASEAN prioritizes economic and social readiness over political structure, requiring English proficiency and the ability to participate in and host numerous meetings.
Since last year, Timor Leste has been observing ASEAN meetings, with the opportunity to contribute ideas while awaiting full membership. After gaining independence in 2002, it expressed a desire to join ASEAN and the South Pacific Forum.
Timor Leste submitted a formal application to ASEAN in 2011, seeing itself as a bridge between Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Working towards meeting ASEAN's requirements, one of the key steps for Timor Leste has been the establishment of embassies in all member states, strengthening its capacity across ASEAN's political, security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars.
A roadmap for Timor Leste’s accession, requiring adherence to 66 key agreements within ASEAN, has been endorsed. ASEAN leaders are set to gather again in Melbourne for a special summit with Australia, marking their 50-year relationship, which may also touch on Timor Leste's prospective membership.
By then, there should be clearer indications about Timor Leste becoming ASEAN's 11th member state next year.
