For the time being, the leaders of this regional bloc granted that nation observer status, which allows it to participate in all meetings of the association, including the plenary sessions of the summits.

They also agreed to formalize a roadmap based on objective criteria for Timor-Leste’s full membership, a mission to be fulfilled by the ASEAN Coordinating Council for presentation to this bloc’s 42nd Summit for adoption.

The ASEAN summits were inaugurated here on Friday by Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen, who called to defend the values built by this organization.

Let us focus on the common goal of mutual development for peace, stability and the region’s improvement, the ASEAN chairman urged, stressing that the close ties among its members were not created by chance, but through years of hard work, commitment and perseverance.

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