KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 25 -- The 10-member Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) is set to formally welcome Timor-Leste as its 11th member this month, marking the bloc's first expansion in over 25 years.

Timor-Leste is expected to deposit its instrument of accession during the 47th Asean Summit, scheduled to take place this weekend in Kuala Lumpur.

Formerly known as East Timor, the island nation gained independence in 2002, making it Asia's youngest country.

It is home to about 1.4 million people, with roughly three-quarters under the age of 35.

Portuguese and Tetum are the country's official languages, while English and Indonesian are designated as working languages - making Timor-Leste the only Asean member with Portuguese as ...