East Timor Formally Admitted To ASEAN In Group's First Expansion Since The 1990s
Published on: Oct. 26, 2025, 11:05 a.m. | Source: Free Press Journal
East Timor, the region’s youngest nation, officially joined ASEAN, marking the bloc’s first expansion since the 1990s. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao called it a “dream realised,” highlighting opportunities for trade, investment, and youth empowerment. Despite challenges like poverty and administrative gaps, membership offers East Timor a path to economic growth and regional integration.
