Timor-Leste thanked Cambodia and other ASEAN member states for admitting it as the 11th Member of ASEAN, beginning with “observer status”.

ASEAN on November 11 leaders have agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN. The bloc will grant the country “observer status” and allow its participation in all ASEAN Meetings, including the summit plenaries.

“We acknowledge and thank the continuous assistance and full support from ASEAN member states, especially to the Kingdom of Cambodia for the unwavering support. We offer our appreciation to the external partners who provide capacity building assistance, now and in the future” said a press statement by the Dili administration.

Timor-Leste is delighted to collaborate and work with the ASEAN Coordinating Council and the ASEAN Secretariat towards preparation of the roadmap to Timor-Leste's full membership, including the milestones identified in the reports produced by fact-finding missions.

“We request the ASEAN Member States grant full membership to Timor-Leste in 2023 following eleven years of preparation and the adoption of the Roadmap, and report to the 42nd ASEAN Summit,” it said.