Malaysian National News Agency reported that on October 26, ASEAN countries signed a declaration accepting East Timor as the 11th member of ASEAN. This is the first expansion of ASEAN in 26 years.

After signing the documents for formal accession to ASEAN, the Prime Minister of East Timor, Xanana, shed tears.

Prime Minister Xanana of East Timor sheds tears, Malaysian News Agency

Xanana said, "This is a historic moment. East Timor will join ASEAN with humility and pride."

He believes that the new beginning will bring "huge opportunities" in areas such as trade and investment.

"Our accession proves the spirit of our people. A young democratic country born from our struggle," Xanana said, "This is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of an exciting new chapter."

After the announcement, the East Timor delegation was also filled with joy, and videos of the delegation members wiping their tears were widely circulated on social media.

East Timor official Augusto Salmenito said that although there were still doubts about the country's prospects for joining the alliance during the 46th ASEAN Summit last May, now the long-held dream of the East Timorese people has finally come true.

"I am deeply moved. Now we are officially becoming an ASEAN member, joining a broader ASEAN family. ASEAN has a clear economic vision, which is not only crucial for the people of East Timor, but also significant for the entire region," he said in an interview with the Malaysian News Agency.

He added that East Timor's accession is expected to bring economic benefits not only to its people but also to the broader ASEAN community.

Antonio Guterres, a photographer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of East Timor, said that when the news was announced, the delegation was deeply moved, and many people shed tears.

Antonio said that the current priority of East Timor is to focus on national development and improve people's well-being.

East Timor is located at the easternmost end of the Nusa Tenggara Islands in Southeast Asia. The country covers an area of 15,007 square kilometers, with a population of 1.34 million (2024), of which 78% are indigenous people (mixed descendants of Papuans and Malays or Polynesians), 20% are Indonesians, and 2% are Chinese. The country was long under Portuguese colonial rule. In 1975, the Portuguese government allowed East Timor to exercise self-determination, but it was later annexed by Indonesia. On August 30, 1999, a referendum was held in East Timor, deciding to separate from Indonesia and gain independence. On May 20, 2002, the Democratic Republic of East Timor was formally established.

In 2005, shortly after its independence, East Timor obtained observer status in ASEAN and became a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) that same year. In 2011, then President of East Timor, Ramos-Horta, formally applied for membership in ASEAN.

East Timor is listed by the United Nations as one of the world's least developed countries. 30.3% of residents live on less than $2 per day. The country's economic development level is lagging, with an unbalanced structure, heavily dependent on oil and gas revenue and foreign aid. Non-oil and gas economy mainly consists of traditional services and agriculture. In recent years, the East Timor government has focused on reducing poverty and increasing employment, gradually increasing fiscal budgets, expanding public spending, and encouraging foreign investment.

With resources rapidly depleting, East Timor is seeking economic diversification. Joining ASEAN allows East Timor to participate in ASEAN's free trade agreements, gain investment opportunities, and access a broader regional market.

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