Myanmar opposes full Timor-Leste ASEAN membership; Regional lawmakers call to free political prisoners

Myanmar opposes full Timor-Leste ASEAN membership

The regime in Naypyidaw has informed Malaysia, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the ASEAN Secretariat that it opposes the proposed accession of Timor-Leste as the 11th member state at the 47th ASEAN Summit to be held on Oct. 26, sources told Thai media.

In a letter, Naypyidaw stated that it wants ASEAN to “suspend all related procedural considerations until Timor-Leste revises its approach and demonstrates a clear commitment to rectifying its policy towards Myanmar.” It urged Timor-Leste to “refrain” from engaging with entities that are explicitly opposed to, or in conflict with, the positions of ASEAN member states.