
There were a few takeaways from the Asean meetings held in Phnom Penh last week. Apart from political diversions and photo-ops between world leaders with Prime Minister Hun Sen, the most welcoming news was that Timor Leste is to be a new Asean member.
The presence of a new member adds some fresh air to the 55-year-old bloc. The inclusion of Timor Leste injects additional democratic spirit into what is a perceived non-interventionalist bloc that has taken pride in being a pragmatic talk shop.