East Timor, Asia’s youngest nation, has become the 11th member of the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN, fulfilling a vision set out by its current president nearly a half-century ago.
The country, also known as Timor-Leste, is among Asia’s poorest and hopes to see gains from integrating its fledgling economy. The accession follows a 14-year wait and represents a symbolic victory for President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, the heroes of its struggle for independence. ASEAN leaders formalized the joining at the opening of their annual summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Gusmao said it was a historic moment for his country, with a new beginning that would bring “immense opportunities” for trade and investment. East Timor was ruled for three centuries by Portugal, which abruptly pulled out of its colony in 1975, paving the way for annexation and an at-times bloody occupation by Indonesia before winning full independence in 2002.
With information from Reuters