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Foreign Ministers Back Timor-Leste's Entry, Seek Stronger Trade and Energy Links
The Straits Times
|July 10, 2025
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 in support of the country's bid for full Asean membership. Singapore has conducted courses for about 800 officials.
This story is from the July 10, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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