Yesterday, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign affairs announced that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has recently endorsed a roadmap that outlines the steps for Timor-Leste becoming its 11th member. This ASEAN membership move is expected to benefit Thailand economically by expanding trade and investment opportunities between the two nations.
Timor-Leste initially submitted its request for full ASEAN membership in 2011. The 41st ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, agreed in principle to accept this request in November last year, while also granting Timor-Leste observer status. The recent 42nd ASEAN Summit held in Indonesia endorsed the roadmap, which covers political, security, economic, and socio-cultural aspects.
To obtain full ASEAN membership, Timor-Leste is required to sign 66 key agreements, including the…
