East Timor was formally admitted Sunday into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) in the group’s first expansion since the 1990s.
The integration of the region’s youngest and poorest nation — with just 1.4 million people — is being hailed as a symbolic step for regional inclusivity. East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste was a Portuguese colony for over four centuries before Indonesia’s 1975 invasion.
ASEAN membership gives East Timor access to the bloc’s free trade deals, investment opportunities and a broader regional market — vital for diversifying an economy long reliant on oil and gas.
The integration of the region’s youngest and poorest nation — with just 1.4 million people — is being hailed as a symbolic step for regional inclusivity. East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste was a Portuguese colony for over four centuries before Indonesia’s 1975 invasion.
ASEAN membership gives East Timor access to the bloc’s free trade deals, investment opportunities and a broader regional market — vital for diversifying an economy long reliant on oil and gas.
You may also like
The world's tallest bridge that's just opened and cost an incredible £219m to build
Alert in Tamil Nadu's Chidambaram village after sighting crocodiles
Man arrested for rape, murder of woman in Hyderabad
PM Modi extends heartfelt greetings on Chhath Parva's Kharna Puja
Apples stay fresh for 42 days without turning brown if you store them with 1 simple item
