Foreign ministers back Timor-Leste entry, push for stronger trade and energy links at Asean meet

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Asean leaders and foreign ministers also pledged to deepen regional economic integration and energy cooperation at talks in Kuala Lumpur on July 9.

PHOTO: AFP

Summary

• Asean ministers reaffirmed Timor-Lestes membership, set for October, with Singapore supporting development via the Stars package, training hundreds of officials.
• Ministers discussed deepening economic ties through initiatives like upgrading Atiga and Defa, aiming to boost the digital economy to US$2 trillion by 2030.
• Asean committed to an open, rules-based region, accelerating the Asean Power Grid for clean energy, as Malaysia urged enhanced internal trade amid global uncertainty.

AI generated

KUALA LUMPUR – Asean foreign ministers reaffirmed plans to admit Timor-Leste as the grouping’s 11th member, and pledged to deepen regional economic integration and energy cooperation at talks in Kuala Lumpur on July 9.

During the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM),Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and his regional counterparts discussed and expressed enthusiasm for Timor-Leste’s upcoming accession to the group, said Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

The South-east Asian nation of 1.3 million people has been waiting to join the grouping since it formally applied for membership in 2011.

This is due to take place at the 47th Asean Summit in October, following a decision in May to endorse the move in principle.

MFA said that Dr Balakrishnan reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to support Timor-Leste’s development through capacity-building courses under the Singapore-Timor-Leste Asean Readiness Support (Stars) package and the Singapore Cooperation Programme.

The Stars package, launched in 2022, trains Timor-Leste officials