Timor-Leste on Sunday officially became the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This marks the bloc’s first expansion in 26 years, following Cambodia’s admission in 1999. The island nation, which first applied for membership in 2011, was formally welcomed as Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao joined the 10 ASEAN leaders to sign the documents confirming its long-awaited entry.

Timor-Leste Joins ASEAN

Speaking at the signing of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN, PM Gusmao said the milestone also reaffirms ASEAN’s vision of a truly united family of nations bound by shared values, common aspirations and a collective destiny. “Today, history is made. Timor-Leste has been admit

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