MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Wednesday he will support moves pushing for the inclusion of Australia into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“Well, I cannot see why that would not be a good idea. Australia has already been a very active part of ASEAN. And for all intents and purposes, really, in all but name, they are already members of ASEAN. Yes, I think they would be very welcome to join ASEAN,” President Marcos said in a media interview in Melbourne.

The President made the remarks when asked about Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ebrahim’s statement saying he is open to allowing Australia to join ASEAN.

The 10-Member State ASEAN is comprised of Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambdia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and the Philippines.

Timor Leste was admitted “in principle” in Asean in 2022 as the organization’s 11th member, with full membership pending.

ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).

President Marcos was in Australia to participate in the 50th ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, which tackled regional and international issues related to achieving peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (PND)