PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Foreign Minister, Prak Sokhonn, and ASEAN Secretary-General, Dato Lim Jock Hoi held a meeting on Monday, where the two sides decided to end the fact-finding mission of the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community regarding Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership requirements in the first quarter of year.

The completion of this fact-finding mission is expected to pave the way for the beginning of discussions on a roadmap and timeline for Timor-Leste to join ASEAN.

Since gaining independence from Indonesia in 2002, the Republic of Timor-Leste has repeatedly expressed its desire to join ASEAN. In 2011, the country filed an official application for ASEAN membership, however, this intention was not welcomed by most members. The Republic of Timor-Leste is currently an ASEAN observer, as the ASEAN Working Group is examining the country's political, economic and cultural situation before deciding whether to allow its membership. Cambodia has been a strong supporter of Timor-Leste membership.

In a meeting between the Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste, Adaljiza Magno, and Prime Minister Hun Sen on 28 January 2022, she asked the Prime Minister to further assist in the country's ASEAN membership after waiting for many years. In response, Prime Minister Hun Sen stated that Cambodia has always supported Timor-Leste's membership for ASEAN, and in the future, Cambodia will promote the ASEAN Economic and Cultural Heritage of the country, and strive to organize fact-finding missions as soon as possible in order to evaluate and prepare guidance and a clear timeline for the inclusion of Timor-Leste into ASEAN.