Timor-Leste Consolidates Preparations for Full ASEAN Membership
Timor-Leste took another decisive step in the process of full membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with the unanimous approval, on 29th September, by the National Parliament, of 22 proposed resolutions that ratify the adherence to legal instruments of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community — Political-Security, Economic and Sociocultural.
The National Parliament Resolutions were presented in a plenary session by the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Rangel. The voting result—54 votes in favor, with no votes against or abstentions—reflects the political and institutional unity surrounding Timor-Leste's integration into ASEAN, which is expected to be formalized at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia this October. 
The National Parliament had previously approved, also unanimously, resolutions of political support for the accession process and structuring instruments such as the ASEAN Charter and the Declaration of Admission of Timor-Leste, which constitute indispensable conditions for formal entry into the regional organization.
The Government, through the Council of Ministers, has also followed up on the Accession Roadmap, approving, in recent weeks, several draft resolutions submitted to Parliament and Government Resolutions relating to legal instruments in areas such as trade, energy, transport, biodiversity, civil protection, tourism, higher education, animal health and active ageing
The approval of these resolutions ensures that Timor-Leste is legally prepared to assume the rights and responsibilities arising from its integration.
Still as an observer country, Timor-Leste has participated, over the last few years, in several meetings of the regional organization and, internally, promoted seminars, training activities and capacity-building programs aimed at preparing human resources and national public entities for ASEAN procedures and mechanisms, ensuring institutional and technical alignment with the best regional practices.
On the diplomatic front, the official visit to Dili by Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN Chairman Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim on 23 and 24 September reinforced regional political support for Timor-Leste’s accession. During the visit, Anwar Ibrahim “reiterated his full support for Timor-Leste to become a full member of ASEAN” by the next summit in October, reaffirming “also his readiness to continue providing assistance in capacity building and other necessary support to facilitate Timor-Leste’s preparation.”
With these advances in the legislative, technical, governmental and diplomatic spheres, Timor-Leste consolidates its preparation to become the 11th ASEAN Member State, establishing itself as a full partner in the collective effort of cooperation, integration and development in Southeast Asia.
