Bir Lehlou, 29 October 2025 (SPS) – The President of the Saharawi Republic (SADR) and Secretary-General of POLISARIO Front, Brahim Ghali, sent Monday letter to congratulate President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, H.E. Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta on the occasion of the official admission of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as the 11 full-fledged member state in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the the 47th ASEAN Summit held on 26th, October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
This is a full read of the letter:
“Bir-lahlu, October 27th, 2025
H.E. Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta,
President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Dili
Your Excellency and dear friend,
On behalf of Saharawi Government, the people of the Saharawi Republic (SADR) and on my own behalf, I would like to extend our warmest and sincere congratulations to the government and to the people of Timor-Leste for the official admission of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as the 11 full-fledged member state in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the the 47th ASEAN Summit held on 26th, October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ASEAN membership has always been a Timor-Leste’s strategic goal.
This historical achievement of officially becoming the 11th Member State of ASEAN is milestone that reflects Timor-Leste’s steadfast commitment, resilience, and dedication over many years for peace, regional cooperation and shared prosperity. It undoubtedly serves as an important pillar for the regional integration of Southeast Asia.
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste officially applied for ASEAN membership in 2011. In 2022, ASEAN Leaders agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste as a Member State, granting it Observer Status in ASEAN meetings. This was followed by the adoption of the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in 2023.
I would like to seize this opportunity to express to Your Excellency our satisfaction about the level of relations between our two Countries and about the ties of brotherhood and solidarity rooted in the shared history of struggle and resistance for exercising the right of Self-determination and national Sovereignty for our two Countries. And I would like also to reiterate our sincere will and desire to continue working with Your Excellency for strengthening these ties to serve the common interests of our two brotherly Countries and peoples.
We proudly acknowledge and command Your Excellency’s Personal Commitment for defending the Saharawi Just cause and the consensus in Timor-Leste on the right of the Saharawi people to exercise freely their right to Self-determination and full sovereignty over the Saharawi Republic (SADR).
Please accept, Excellency and dear Friend, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Brahim Ghali,
President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)
Secretary-General of POLISARIO Front”.
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