East Timor formally admitted to ASEAN in the group’s first expansion since the 1990s

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• East Timor formally admitted to ASEAN in the group's first expansion since the 1990s</p>

<p>October 25, 2025 at 9:05 PM</p>

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<p>Foreign ministers and economic ministers of ASEAN member countries pose for a group photo during the ASEAN Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) ()</p>

<p>KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — East Timor's prime minister pledged Sunday that his country would be a productive member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as it was formally admitted to the bloc in its first expansion since the 1990s.</p>

<p>After the flag of East Timor, also known as Timor Leste, was added to the other 10 on the stage at a formal ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao told the other leaders that "today, history is made."</p>

<p>"For the people of Timor Leste this is not only a dream realized but a powerful affirmation of our journey," he said.</p>

<p>The integration of the region's youngest and poorest nation — with just 1.4 million people — is being hailed as a symbolic step for regional inclusivity.</p>

<p>The little-known nation wedged between Indonesia and Australia was a Portuguese colony for over four centuries before Indonesia's 1975 invasion.</p>

<p>It struggles with high levels of unemployment and malnutrition, and 42% of the population lives below the national poverty line. Nearly two-thirds of the country's citizens are under 30 years old, making youth job creation a high priority.</p>

<p>Its major source of government revenues comes from the oil and gas industry but with resources quickly becoming depleted it is looking to diversify.</p>

<p>ASEAN membership gives East Timor access to the bloc's free trade deals, investment opportunities and a broader regional market.</p>

<p>"For us this new beginning brings immense opportunity in trade, investment, education and the digital economy, — we are ready to learn, innovate and uphold good government," Gusmao said.</p>

<p>"This is not the end of a journey, this is a beginning of an inspiring new chapter. "</p>

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