Cambodia Supports Timor-Leste's Request Over Its Full Membership In ASEAN In 2025

Phnom Penh, September 24, 2023 --

Timor-Leste has sought Cambodia's support for the determination of 2025 as the year Timor-Leste becomes a full-fledged ASEAN member, and Cambodia responded positively to the request.

Cambodia's support was voiced by Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, during a meeting with H E. José Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, in New York in the afternoon of Sept. 22 (New York time) or in the early morning of September 23 (Phnom Penh time), on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 78).

Cambodia will continue to support Timor-Leste, especially in preparing for ASEAN's full membership in the near future, reaffirmed Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet.

The Cambodian Premier also stressed that ASEAN should expand its membership to contribute to a stronger and more resilient region.

Within the framework of bilateral cooperation, the two leaders further discussed the expansion of cooperation between Cambodia and Timor-Leste in a number of potential areas, such as tourism, agriculture and people-to-people connectivity.

For his part, the Timorese president asked Cambodia to consider the possibility of joint investment and business in the aviation sector and the establishment of direct flights, which will further increase the closeness between the peoples and economies of the two countries.