Ramos Horta's Ambition When He Was Chaired By Indonesia, Wanted Timor Leste To Join ASEAN Member After 10 Years Of 'Coveting'

East Timor's elected president José Ramos Horta gives a statement during an interview in the Largo de Lecidere Beach area, Dili, Timor Leste (Via ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Elected President of Timor Leste José Ramos-Horta hopes that Timor Leste can change its status from Observer to become the 11th ASEAN member during Indonesia's Chair of ASEAN in 2023.

“Ideally, in my opinion, we (Timor Leste) join ASEAN during Indonesia's presidency. When Indonesia takes over and becomes president of ASEAN, ideally, that's when we join. 10 years since we proposed (to become a member of ASEAN)", Ramos-Horta told reporters at the Dili Cathedral, Timor Leste, Antara, Wednesday, May 18.

Making Timor Leste a member state is one of Ramos-Horta's ambitions. Currently, Timor Leste is waiting for a consensus decision from ASEAN countries regarding the joining of Timor Leste as a member of the regional organization.

What is meant by consensus decision is a decision that is approved by all member countries, in this case, ASEAN member countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.

The policy of consensus diplomacy requires all member countries to agree on a decision so that the decision can be implemented, including the decision to make Timor Leste an ASEAN member state.

According to Ramos-Horta, the reason for the failure of Timor Leste to become a member of ASEAN was that the timing was not right. Thus, when Indonesia's Chair in ASEAN in 2023 begins, he believes that this is the right moment for Timor Leste to join ASEAN.

"We, especially me, will actively fight for the preparation of Timor Leste's accession to ASEAN with the government here and the ASEAN Secretariat", said Ramos-Horta.

In addition, he explained that the program that became the main priority during his tenure as president was an economic improvement. The COVID-19 pandemic and Ukraine's war against Russia have resulted in a global crisis that has worsened the economic conditions of the people in Timor Leste.

People who are already poor, he continued, have become poorer due to the continuation of the pandemic at the national level and the problems in Ukraine. Therefore, the economy is a top concern and absolute priority for Ramos-Horta.

"For the sake of the children and mothers. We face too much malnutrition and extreme poverty. There is no more important challenge and work for me than looking after children, pregnant women, and the community", said Ramos-Horta.