Timor-Leste’s Struggle Towards ASEAN Membership

More than eight years have passed since Timor-Leste applied for membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), yet the country still awaits a definite answer. In an exclusive interview with Foreign Minister Dionisio Babo Soares, it was revealed that Timor-Leste has been working diligently to realize its ASEAN membership dream.

Minister Soares emphasized that geographically, Timor-Leste is part of Southeast Asia, and he lamented if the country is not recognized as a member of the ASEAN family. Although Timor-Leste has submitted its application since 2011, the process has taken eight years without clear certainty. However, during Thailand’s presidency in 2019, there was a significant push to expedite the process.

Assessment processes by ASEAN teams in various fields, such as politics, security, and justice, have been conducted in Timor-Leste. Minister Soares expressed optimism that positive assessment results would encourage ASEAN member countries to ratify Timor-Leste’s membership. He also highlighted the positive relationship between Timor-Leste and Vietnam, hoping that Vietnam would support Timor-Leste’s membership during its presidency.

Timor-Leste’s membership in ASEAN is believed to bring many benefits, especially in terms of access to a large market and the economic potential offered by ASEAN. Additionally, Timor-Leste has unique economic sectors such as oil, gas, agriculture, mining, and tourism, which could be valuable contributions to ASEAN.

Minister Soares emphasized that Timor-Leste would not be a burden to ASEAN but rather an active contributor to the organization’s success. With a commitment to supporting ASEAN’s vision as an economic powerhouse in the next 50 years, Timor-Leste is ready to play an active role in achieving that goal.

As a country commemorating its 20th anniversary of independence, Timor-Leste’s aspiration to become an ASEAN member signifies an important step in its history. The documentary to be broadcast on Thai PBS World next year will provide viewers with deeper insights into Timor-Leste’s journey towards ASEAN membership and its significance in the broader regional context.