Evidence of ASEAN's vitality and solidarity

Malaysian Prime Minister speaks at the Timor-Leste Parliament during his visit to Timor-Leste on September 25. (Source: the Star)

Accordingly, Timor-Leste’s preparation to become an official member of ASEAN is an important milestone for Timor-Leste in particular and the region in general. This demonstrates ASEAN’s openness and flexibility, ready to welcome new members who share its vision of peace , stability and cooperation.

The Star said the move is also a reminder that ASEAN unity and cohesion are nurtured through dialogue, perseverance and collective responsibility.

The ASEAN welcomes new members at a time when competition among major powers is intensifying, issues of economic resilience, supply chain security and sustainable growth are pressing, and the multilateral order is under pressure.

In that context, according to The Star, Timor-Leste's admission to ASEAN sends a clear signal that the Association is strongest when united. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim once warned that the region cannot ignore the huge challenges it faces, including transnational crime and growing economic inequality...

Some may question whether Timor-Leste is ready for the new obligations of joining the Association?

The Star stressed that the answer lies not in the list of immediate tasks but in the persistent determination that the country has shown throughout its long journey, because the road to joining ASEAN “has never been smooth”. But that perseverance is clearly demonstrated through Timor-Leste’s efforts to implement the requirements in the roadmap to join ASEAN, despite many difficulties and challenges.

Perseverance, tenacity and strong belief in the future of the region will help Timor-Leste promote its role in ASEAN after becoming an official member.

Malaysian President Anwar, during his visit to Timor-Leste on September 25, commented that the Timor-Leste parliament, with one-third of its seats reserved for women and a special focus on young representatives, is one of the leading progressive legislatures in the Asia-Pacific.

According to the 2025 ASEAN Chair, Timor-Leste brings with it values that will enrich the regional community. Timor-Leste’s Portuguese-speaking identity connects the region to the Southern Hemisphere and the Pacific, strengthening ASEAN’s reach to communities beyond its traditional sphere of influence.

In addition, the country’s young population brings energy, innovation and abundant human resources that can fuel ASEAN’s shared future.

According to The Star, for Timor-Leste, joining ASEAN is the fruit of decades of perseverance and the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s regional integration journey. For ASEAN, it is proof of the region’s vitality, unity and influence.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/minh-chung-cho-suc-song-va-tinh-than-doan-ket-cua-asean-329413.html