East Timor to join ASEAN East Timor

24/07/2006 22:29:16 AEST

East Timor is set to become the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The world's newest country is set to join the regional grouping within the next five years.

Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta says he will propose the five-year timetable in talks with ASEAN foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this week.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid, who is chairing the meeting, is confident the move will happen.

"We are willing for them to come in," he said.

ASEAN currently groups Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Vietnam.

ABC Asia Pacific TV / Radio Australia