Key points
- Membership fulfils Ramos-Horta’s decades-old vision
- Nation hopes for economic growth through integration
- Gusmao hails historic moment for Timor-Leste
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Asia’s youngest nation, East Timor, on Sunday became the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), realising a vision first proposed nearly 50 years ago by its current president while under Portuguese rule.
Also known as Timor-Leste, the country of 1.4 million people remains one of Asia’s poorest and hopes to benefit economically from regional integration. Its economy, valued at around $2 billion, represents only a fraction of ASEAN’s combined $3.8 trillion GDP, reports Reuters.
East Timor’s accession, finalised at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, follows a 14-year wait and marks a symbolic victory for President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, both key figures in the independence struggle. Applause filled the summit hall as East Timor’s flag was raised on stage.
Historic
An emotional Gusmao described the moment as historic, calling it a new beginning that would bring “immense opportunities” for trade and investment. “For the people of Timor-Leste, this is not only a dream realized, but a powerful affirmation of our journey,” he said. “This is not the end of a journey.”
Once a Portuguese colony, East Timor was invaded by Indonesia in 1975 and achieved full independence in 2002. Ramos-Horta, 75, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, first advocated ASEAN membership in the 1970s to secure his nation’s regional future.
He said in a September interview that East Timor must remain stable and contribute to ASEAN, particularly by sharing lessons from its conflict resolution experience, including on border and South China Sea disputes. “If we can in the future contribute toward strengthening ASEAN mechanisms such as conflict mechanisms, that is key,” Ramos-Horta said.
