Jakarta, May 26 -- Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has welcomed Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea's wish to join the ASEAN as member states.

"We support Timor-Leste's becoming a full ASEAN member as soon as possible-if possible, this year," he said at the plenary session of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

"Also, we would like to propose the participation of a close neighbor of ours, that is, Papua New Guinea. They have expressed their desire also to join ASEAN," he added.

According to the President, amid the current geopolitical uncertainty, ASEAN's collective strength is expected to improve the region's bargaining position with the world's major powers.

"The stronger ASEAN is, the more we will be heard in the d...