Manila, May 25 -- The Philippines will continue supporting Timor-Leste's membership bid to become a regular member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), incoming Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro reaffirmed on Saturday night.

Lazaro, currently the Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs, represented Manila in the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting on May 24 in preparation for the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

"We discussed the importance of strengthening ASEAN centrality while expanding strategic partnerships," she said on X.

"We also committed to supporting Timor-Leste's accession process and contributing to ASEAN Community Vision 2045 implem...