Timor-Leste ASEAN Accession Blocked by Myanmar’s Objection

Myanmar’s military-led State Administration Council (SAC) formally opposed Timor Leste’s full accession to ASEAN - scheduled for October of this year - arguing that Dili’s open engagement with Myanmar’s civilian-led National Unity Government (NUG) and other pro-democracy forces breaches ASEAN’s core “noninterference” principle. This is noteworthy because of ASEAN’s principle of consensus decision-making, although Myanmar’s representative, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Aung Kyaw Moe, did not raise concerns during the recent ASEAN summit in May. Timor Leste’s leaders have dismissed this objection as moot, stating that consensus was already reached during the May summit, and preparations for membership are underway. Most ASEAN members remain committed to admitting Timor Leste, making its accession in October highly probable.