World

Malaysia agrees to expedite Timor-Leste's ASEAN membership process

Malaysia, serving as the ASEAN chair this year, has agreed to expedite Timor-Leste's membership process following a decision made at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat held in Langkawi in January.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. (Photo: thestar.com.my)
Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. (Photo: thestar.com.my)

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Timor-Leste is on track to become a full member of ASEAN by the regional grouping's second summit in October or November this year, according to Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

Malaysia, serving as the ASEAN chair this year, has agreed to expedite Timor-Leste's membership process following a decision made at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat held in Langkawi in January.

To gain full ASEAN membership, Timor-Leste must comply with around 88 instruments, with 69 of these related to the economic pillar.

Malaysia established a special unit at the ASEAN secretariat in Jakarta to assist Timor-Leste in expediting this process.

Malaysia is negotiating to remove these unnecessary instruments so that Timor-Leste will not have to go through redundant requirements.

Timor-Leste will be given a period of between three and five years to gradually sign and comply with the remaining instruments when it becomes a full ASEAN member.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously reaffirmed Malaysia's unwavering support for Timor-Leste's inclusion in ASEAN, aligning it with the vision of fostering greater unity and sustainability across the region./.

VNA
#Timor-Leste #ASEAN #Malaysia #membership #requirements
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

See more

Indonesia restarts research reactor after nearly 14 years

Indonesia restarts research reactor after nearly 14 years

Under its national energy development plan, Indonesia aims to commission its first nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of about 500 MW in the early 2030s, before expanding nuclear generation to 7-8 GW in the 2040s and 35-37 GW by the 2060s to diversify energy supplies and meet growing electricity demand.

An article published on July 9, 2026 by Auto Plus, one of France's leading automotive magazines, gives a positive assessment of VinFast's VF 2 mini electric car. (Photo published by VNA)

French magazine highlights VinFast's rapid growth

According to L'Automobile, VinFast sold 115,916 vehicles in the first six months of 2026, its highest figure since the company began operations. The result also made VinFast the first Vietnamese automaker to surpass 100,000 vehicle sales in the first half of a year.

Thailand–EU FTA talks advance in Brussels

Thailand–EU FTA talks advance in Brussels

The two sides agreed to expedite FTA negotiations and work toward resolving outstanding issues in agricultural products, industrial goods, government procurement, energy and raw materials, digital trade, and regulatory matters, including intellectual property.

Indonesia attracts 5.8 billion USD in foreign inflows after rate hikes

Indonesia attracts 5.8 billion USD in foreign inflows after rate hikes

Data from the central bank showed that after recording net foreign outflows in the first quarter of 2026, Indonesia's government bond market rebounded with net inflows of 17.7 trillion IDR. Meanwhile, cumulative foreign investment in Bank Indonesia Rupiah Securities reached 174 trillion IDR.

Firefighters strive to extinguish a forest fire in Kampar of Indonesia's Riau province on July 20, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Indonesia strengthens forest fire prevention mechanisms

Under the approach, competent agencies will review existing regulations, strengthen inspections of fire prevention and firefighting systems, and implement measures including weather modification through cloud seeding, monitoring water levels in peatland areas, and pre-positioning personnel and equipment in high-risk locations.

Malaysia moves to enact landmark climate change law

Malaysia moves to enact landmark climate change law

Once passed, the bill will make Malaysia the second ASEAN country, after the Philippines, to enact a dedicated climate change law, and the 60th country in the world to have a standalone legal framework in this area.

Indonesia shifts strategy to combat online gambling

Indonesia shifts strategy to combat online gambling

Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid announced on July 14 that the new strategy marks a shift from focusing primarily on blocking gambling websites to a more comprehensive approach targeting the entire criminal ecosystem.

Passengers at the international airport in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand adjusts visa policy to balance tourism and security

The adjustments aim to ensure that entry facilitation measures for foreign visitors reflect current circumstances while closing security loopholes, preventing misuse, and reducing overlapping entitlements under the principle of “one country, one entitlement”.