- Laily Rachev - Biro Pers Sekretariat Presiden
VIVA – For the last ten years, Timor Leste has applied to become a member of ASEAN. Finally, at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) in Cambodia last week, it decided to accelerate the process of Timor Leste's membership in ASEAN.
"Hopefully, with the written political commitment in this joint communique, it is a sign that it is time for Timor Leste to immediately become a member of ASEAN," Head of the Strategic Bureau for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Achmad Rizal Purnama said in an online media briefing on Thursday, August 11, 2022.
Rizal explained in the AMM meeting the Ministers specifically discussed this plan. There is a fact-finding mission that assesses the country's readiness based on the three pillars of achievement of the ASEAN community, namely politics-security, economy, and socio-culture.
Currently, the results of the assessment of the three pillars have been completed and reported to the ministerial level meeting that oversees the work of the fact-finding mission.
“After this, there will be a thorough assessment of the plan to enter Timor Leste into ASEAN. Hopefully, this process can roll faster,” Rizal remarked.
Presiden Joko Widodo dan Presiden Timor Leste Jose Ramos Horta di Istana Bogor
- Laily Rachev - Biro Pers Sekretariat Presiden
Achmad Rizal Purnama accompanied the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi during the AMM event. He said Indonesia views the importance of East Timor joining ASEAN based on strategic geopolitical considerations.
"Hopefully, the process can run quickly, this year or next year the process can begin to be decided, and Timor Leste can join ASEAN," Rizal remarked.
Previously on the sidelines of his visit to Indonesia, the President of Timor Leste, Ramos Horta, appreciated Indonesia's support for Timor Leste and wanted to become a member of ASEAN.
President Jose Ramos Horta targets Timor Leste can become a member of ASEAN in 2023, coinciding with Indonesia's tenure at the association.
“Timor Leste has fulfilled all the requirements to become a member of ASEAN. We are ready to become a member of ASEAN with all the achievements that Timor Leste has," Ramos Horta said last July.
