Cambodia Calls on ASEAN to Speed up the Decision on Timor-Leste’s Membership

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has appealed to other ASEAN leaders to speed up their political decision to accept Timor-Leste’s request to be a member of ASEAN.

Addressing to the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits held via videoconference this morning, Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed his concern over geopolitical competition, adding that if ASEAN continues to isolate Timor-Leste, the latter could turn to a more reliable bloc beside ASEAN.

Samdech Techo Prime Minister urged other ASEAN members to understand Timor-Leste's efforts for many years to be a member of ASEAN.

“In its preparations to join ASEAN, Timor-Leste has established its embassies in all ASEAN nations, but our ASEAN seems to ignore its endeavours,” he said.

Timor-Leste has applied for the ASEAN’s membership since 2011, when Indonesia held the rotating ASEAN chairmanship.

ASEAN currently comprises of 10 member countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press