The Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed in-principle to admit Timor-Leste to be the 11th member of ASEAN, according to their statement AKP received this afternoon. 

The agreement was made by the ASEAN Leaders who are gathering in Phnom Penh for the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, after considering the outcomes of the Fact-Finding Missions to Timor-Leste conducted by the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

They also agreed to grant an observer status to Timor-Leste and allow its participation in all ASEAN Meetings including at the Summit plenaries.

An objective criteria-based Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s full membership including based on the milestones identified in the reports of the Fact-Finding Missions conducted by the three ASEAN Community pillars will be formalised, and the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) was tasked to formulate the Roadmap and report to the 42nd ASEAN Summit for adoption.

Besides, the ASEAN Leaders asked all ASEAN Member States and external partners to fully support Timor-Leste to achieve the milestones through the provision of capacity building assistance and any other necessary and relevant support for its full membership in ASEAN.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press