KUALA LUMPUR: Asean Foreign Ministers hope to expedite documentation for Timor-Leste's accession by October.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said this was among the key matters discussed during the 58th AseanForeign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) this morning.

"We will ensure that the documentation for Timor-Leste's accession as a full Asean member is signed during the 47th Asean Summit in October.

"Efforts must be expedited to finalise the documentation so this goal can be achieved at the summit," he told reporters after the plenary session this afternoon.

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Mohamad said other topics discussed included Asean's relationships with external partners, where member states agreed on the need to strengthen engagements to position Asean as a more open and inclusive bloc.

"We need to enhance this further because we require a more open Asean to avoid overdependence on any single party.

"Asean must be seen as a bloc or region that is open... One that welcomes multiple partners for engagement and trade," he said.

Mohamad is scheduled to meet his counterparts again later today during the retreat session.

The 58th AMM and related meetings, held under Malaysia's 2025 Asean Chairmanship themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', will feature 24 ministerial-level meetings, including engagements with Asean Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners.

In conjunction with the meetings, Malaysia will also host the Fourth Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV).

Co-chaired with Japan and Palestine, the conference will focus on initiatives to support the reconstruction and development of Gaza and Palestine.

The high-level meetings, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from July 8 to 11, will gather around 1,500 delegates, including foreign ministers from Asean member states, Timor-Leste, Asean Dialogue Partners, Asean Regional Forum (ARF) participants, Sectoral Dialogue Partners, and senior officials from the Asean Secretariat.