Timor-Leste celebrates long-awaited ASEAN membership in Phnom Penh

Timor-Leste’s long-awaited entry into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was celebrated in Phnom Penh on Friday evening, marking the country’s formal recognition as the regional bloc’s 11th member and underscoring ASEAN’s commitment to inclusivity and shared prosperity.

The reception, held at the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, was co-hosted by the Embassies of Timor-Leste and Malaysia and attended by senior government officials, ambassadors, and members of the diplomatic corps.

The ceremony was presided over by Vongsey Vissoth, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers.

Remarks were delivered by Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia Shaharuddin Onn, representing Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, and Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to Cambodia Marcos dos Reis da Costa, who conveyed a message from Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.

The event commenced with the national anthems of Timor-Leste and Cambodia, followed by the ASEAN anthem, “The ASEAN Way.” The solemn ceremony symbolised Timor-Leste’s full inclusion in the ASEAN family, marking a historic milestone in regional integration and solidarity.

In his remarks, Vissoth recalled that Cambodia and Timor-Leste have enjoyed warm and friendly relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2002 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who now serves as Senate President.

He noted that this friendship has continued to flourish under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet, across both bilateral and multilateral frameworks and in all areas of cooperation.

He added that frequent exchanges of visits and engagements between the leaders of both countries have fostered friendship, built mutual trust, and strengthened bilateral cooperation.

Ambassador Shaharuddin said Malaysia, which has always been fully supportive of Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership, is proud and honoured that the country was admitted as the 11th ASEAN member state during Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship.

“Timor-Leste’s admission and inclusion into ASEAN in 2025 resonate perfectly with this year’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme of ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’,” he added.

On behalf of the government and people of Malaysia, he extended his congratulations to the government and people of Timor-Leste on their accession to ASEAN.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Costa described the occasion as both a privilege and an honour, noting that the event marked the culmination of a 14-year journey.

“Joining ASEAN has long been a dream of our leaders at the dawn of our struggle for self-determination, and it has been a national priority for the Government of Timor-Leste since the restoration of independence in May 2002,” he said.

He expressed appreciation for the steadfast support extended by ASEAN member states, the ASEAN Secretariat, and ASEAN dialogue partners throughout Timor-Leste’s accession process.

Timor-Leste first applied for ASEAN membership in 2011 under Indonesia’s Chairmanship. It gained observer status in 2022, when Cambodia was Chair, and achieved full membership this year under Malaysia’s Chairmanship. KhmerTimes