JAKARTA - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto assesses that the joining of Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea (PNG) will increase the role of ASEAN in the world.
This was conveyed by President Prabowo during the plenary session of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday (26/5).
In his speech, President Prabowo welcomed Timor Leste's participation in this summit again, expressing Indonesia's support for ASEAN's full membership for Timor Leste.
"As soon as possible, if possible, this year," President Prabowo said, citing a script for his speech, Monday (26/5).
On the same occasion, President Prabowo proposed participating in Papua New Guinea (PNG), saying the country had expressed its desire to join ASEAN.
"I think that in the current geopolitical uncertainty situation, the stronger ASEAN, the more we will be heard in the discourse of big countries. We know now, only those with power will be respected," said President Prabowo.
President Prabowo further said, in terms of population, ASEAN is currently considered the same as the European Union. He also said economic growth was the fastest in the world.
"This Abad is projected as an Asian century. Don't always underestimate our strength and power," he exclaimed.
"Therefore, with the increasing membership of Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea, I think this will also increase the role of ASEAN in the world. We must ensure that ASEAN becomes relevant and therefore, we welcome a deeper partnership. For example, cooperation between ASEAN-GCC (Cold State Cooperation Council) and ASEAN-GCC-Chinese. We are sure that tomorrow will provide tangible results in this matter," he explained.
"We must continue to work hard so that ASEAN remains strong, cohesive, and adaptive. Let ASEAN rise stronger, bolder, and more relevant than ever," said President Prabowo.
Separately, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said in his written statement, President Prabowo proposed and supported efforts for PNG to become a member of ASEAN.
"With the total population of ASEAN members estimated at around 700 million by 2025, or almost equivalent to the population in the European continent, ASEAN is a force that is highly taken into account in the world," said Seskab Teddy.
President Prabowo stated that the joining of PNG in ASEAN will have a positive impact in expanding cooperation networks and strengthening regional resilience. Geographically, PNG is a neighboring country that is directly adjacent to eastern Indonesia.
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"Not only to maintain regional stability in ASEAN, joining Papua New Guinea will also make ASEAN more influential at the global level," said Seskab Teddy.
ASEAN currently has 10 members, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Timor Leste is currently an observer and is officially scheduled to become the 11th member of ASEAN in October 2025.
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