Asia’s youngest nation, East Timor , officially became the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday.

Also known as Timor-Leste, the country of 1.4 million people is among Asia’s poorest and hopes to see gains from integrating its fledgling economy, which at about $2 billion represents only a tiny fraction of ASEAN’s collective $3.8 trillion gross domestic product.

East Timor’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations follows a 14-year wait, and though its membership is not expected to be transformative, it represents a symbolic victory for its president, Jose Ramos-Horta, and prime minister, Xanana Gusmao, the heroes of its struggle for independence.

Its joining was formalised by ASEAN leaders at the opening of their annual summit in

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