East Timor Joins ASEAN: A Symbolic Step Towards Regional Integration
East Timor, Asia’s youngest nation, has officially become the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia made the announcement on Sunday in Kuala Lumpur, marking a significant moment for both the country and the regional bloc.
Currently holding the presidency of ASEAN, Malaysia’s Prime Minister articulated a sense of completion with East Timor’s membership. He described the expanded ASEAN family as a reinforcement of the region’s shared destiny and collective identity.
Known officially as Timor-Leste, East Timor gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 following a prolonged struggle spanning 24 years. Its journey toward ASEAN membership began in 2011, but it took 14 years for that bid to be realized. In 2022, East Timor achieved observer status within the organization.
Home to 1.4 million residents, East Timor faces significant challenges, including stark economic disparities, widespread unemployment, and a pressing malnutrition crisis. According to Reuters, the recent accession to ASEAN fulfills a vision articulated by the country’s current president, José Ramos-Horta, nearly half a century ago when East Timor was still under Portuguese rule.
At 75 years old and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate since 1996, Ramos-Horta had envisioned ASEAN membership as a pathway to secure the nation’s future through regional integration. The prospect of joining ASEAN offers hopes for an economic revival, although with its economy standing at a modest $2 billion, East Timor’s contribution is merely a fraction of ASEAN’s total GDP of $3.8 trillion.
While some analysts view the membership as primarily symbolic, East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão celebrated the event as a historic milestone. In a rousing speech, he emphasized that this achievement is not merely a dream realized but a powerful affirmation of the nation’s journey.
With a colonial history marked by Portuguese rule for three centuries, East Timor faced significant upheaval when Portugal withdrew in 1975, leading to a tumultuous occupation by Indonesia. Since its founding in 1967, ASEAN has expanded from five original members, with Cambodia serving as the newest member before East Timor joined in 1999.
As East Timor embarks on this new chapter, the hopes of its people rest on the promise of regional cooperation and support.
