KUALA LUMPUR: Having secured Asean membership after 14 years of preparation, Timor-Leste is now seeking Malaysia's partnership to translate its place in the regional bloc into tangible benefits through investment, education, skills training and institutional development.

Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas said Malaysia had been a steadfast friend and played an important role in supporting Timor-Leste's admission as Asean's 11th member in Kuala Lumpur during Malaysia's chairmanship of the bloc in 2025.

Malaysia's support for Timor-Leste predates its independence in 2002. It was the first country to establish a liaison office in Dili in 2001 and the first Asean country to open an embassy there in 2002.