East Timor officially became the 11th member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). RIA Novosti reported this news. The declaration was signed at a summit in Malaysia in the presence of leaders of association countries and the Prime Minister of East Timor, Kai Rala Xanana Gusma. On October 23, the ASEAN Summit opened in Kuala Lumpur. The main program will take place from October 26-28, with guests from major powers including the US and Brazil. Members of the coalition of countries hope that during the event, a “peace declaration” between Cambodia and Thailand can be signed. ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organization established in 1967 to promote economic growth, social progress and cultural development in Southeast Asia. It includes 10 countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. Now East Timor has been added to them. East Timor is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, located at the southern tip of the Lesser Sunda Islands, 500 km from Australia. This farming country finally achieved independence in 2002, and riots and armed conflicts only ended in 2007.
