In a landmark development for Southeast Asia, East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste, was officially welcomed into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday. This marks the bloc’s first expansion since the 1990s, symbolizing a significant stride towards regional inclusivity. With a population of just 1.4 million, East Timor is both the youngest and one of the poorest nations in the region. Its admission into ASEAN is expected to unlock access to free trade agreements, investment opportunities, and a broader regional market, which are crucial for diversifying its oil and gas-dependent economy. Historically, East Timor was a Portuguese colony for over four centuries before Indonesia’s invasion in 1975. Its integration into ASEAN underscores the bloc’s commitment to fostering unity and economic collaboration among its member states.
East Timor formally admitted to ASEAN in the group’s first expansion since the 1990s
