ASEAN President expresses his optimism that Timor-Leste will conclude its accession process by the end of 2023
The Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen, current President of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stated on August 3rd, that “the process of Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN is progressing well” and expressed his “optimism that Timor-Leste will join ASEAN no later than next year”.
This statement was made during the opening ceremony of the 55thASEAN Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting, which took place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and was attended by Timor-Leste, represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Magno. 
The membership application was submitted in 2011 and Timor-Leste is currently an observer member of this organization.
ASEAN was created on August 8th 1967, and currently comprises Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
