Timor Leste Hopes to Join ASEAN During Indonesia's 2023 Chairmanship

TheIndonesia.id - Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta said the country is hoping to join ASEAN in 2023 during Indonesia’s chairmanship and said the plan’s realization will be the pinnacle of the two countries’ bilateral relations.

During an event in Jakarta on Thursday, July 21, Ramos-Horta expressed his appreciation for the Indonesian government’s support for Timor Leste to join the Southeast Asia’s regional institution as he confirmed Timor Leste’s target to become member state in 2023.

“I would like to see Timor Leste joining ASEAN during Indonesian presidency, and Indonesia has been very supportive of Timor Leste membership in ASEAN,” Ramos-Horta said, adding that his country has made tremendous progress in the last ten years, including in economic sectors.

“It would be the culmination of this great journey and history between Timor Leste and Indonesia,” the President claimed.

On the occasion, former Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Dino Patti Djalal said while Indonesia backs Timor Leste’s membership bid, the approval from other member states are still required to realize the plan.

“[Indonesian diplomat] Hassan Wirajuda and I have been pushing for Timor Leste to join ASEAN since three years ago. However, Timor Leste also needs to get the approval of other member states,” Djalal explained.