Timor-Leste is poised to realize full membership in ASEAN, preferably by 2025, while remaining open to alternative timelines endorsed by other Southeast Asian leaders, as expressed by its President José Ramos-Horta.
Speaking on the Dialogue for Democracy forum in Jakarta on Monday, Ramos-Horta stated: “The Prime Minister and I actually have agreed that the optimal date for East Timor’s full membership in ASEAN will likely be 2025.” He further emphasized that there’s flexibility should ASEAN leaders propose a unique timeline, akin to 2024, and Timor-Leste could be completely satisfied to accede to such decisions. The 2025 timetable would supply a two-year window to consolidate progress made according to the roadmap, ensuring greater readiness as a full member.
ASEAN has provisionally approved Timor-Leste as its eleventh member, having already prolonged observer status to the country, allowing participation in meetings, including the summit’s plenary sessions. At a gathering in Labuan Bajo in May, ASEAN leaders developed a roadmap for East Timor’s full membership. Ramos-Horta confirmed that Timor-Leste is within the strategy of formulating an motion plan, which goals to translate the ASEAN-endorsed motion plan into the federal government’s annual motion plans.
“This action plan aims to ensure that the initiatives and activities of each ministry contribute coherently to the accession process and regional integration efforts. The action plan is aligned with our national strategic development plan,” Ramos-Horta explained.
In addition to outlining its commitments, Timor-Leste is actively undertaking institutional reforms to make sure that ASEAN membership not only serves its national interests but in addition improves prosperity across the region.
Ramos-Horta said East Timor is near appointing an envoy to ASEAN, signifying its commitment to the membership process.
These developments closely follow an announcement by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, who indicated that East Timor would reassess its membership in ASEAN if the association fails to resolve the crisis in Myanmar. Gusmão assured: “As Prime Minister, East Timor will suspend its ASEAN membership if the organization is unable to establish contact with the military junta. I have also conveyed this position to UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres,” news-viptv reported.
