(Kuala Lumpur, 26th) ASEAN countries have officially signed a declaration, accepting Timor-Leste as the 11th member state of ASEAN.
Leaders and government representatives from ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste, on Sunday morning (October 26) at the opening ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit, took turns stamping and signing the declaration document. Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Gusmão was the last to sign. He smiled during the signing, unable to hide his excitement, with tears in his eyes.
After the 11 representatives signed, they performed the ASEAN-style group handshake in front of the stage, marking the new appearance of an expanded ASEAN family.
Chairing ASEAN this term, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar, in the presence of Timor-Leste President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Gusmão, handed the declaration document to ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn. The assembly then placed the flag of Timor-Leste, in English alphabetical order, between the flags of Thailand and Vietnam.
In his speech, Gusmão said that Timor-Leste’s accession is not only the realization of the Timor-Leste people's dream but also a recognition of Timor-Leste’s journey of perseverance, resilience, and hope. For ASEAN, the addition of Timor-Leste represents the continuation of the regional organization’s vision—to build a big family based on shared values, ambitions, and destiny.
“Timor-Leste’s elevation to member state reflects the spirit of this young democracy born out of struggle; it now steps into an era marked by cooperation and development in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.”
Leaders and government representatives from ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste, on Sunday morning (October 26) at the opening ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit, took turns stamping and signing the declaration document. Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Gusmão was the last to sign. He smiled during the signing, unable to hide his excitement, with tears in his eyes.
After the 11 representatives signed, they performed the ASEAN-style group handshake in front of the stage, marking the new appearance of an expanded ASEAN family.
Chairing ASEAN this term, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar, in the presence of Timor-Leste President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Gusmão, handed the declaration document to ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn. The assembly then placed the flag of Timor-Leste, in English alphabetical order, between the flags of Thailand and Vietnam.
In his speech, Gusmão said that Timor-Leste’s accession is not only the realization of the Timor-Leste people's dream but also a recognition of Timor-Leste’s journey of perseverance, resilience, and hope. For ASEAN, the addition of Timor-Leste represents the continuation of the regional organization’s vision—to build a big family based on shared values, ambitions, and destiny.
“Timor-Leste’s elevation to member state reflects the spirit of this young democracy born out of struggle; it now steps into an era marked by cooperation and development in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.”