Jokowi Said That In Principle Timor Leste Was Accepted As A Member Of ASEAN

Timorese Prime Minister Leste Taur Matan Ruak visited President Jokowi at the Bogor Palace Monday, February 13. (Between)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) expressed his joy because Timor Leste has in principle been accepted as a member of ASEAN.

This was conveyed by the head of state when welcoming the arrival of the Prime Minister (PM) of Timor Leste Taur Matan Ruak at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java (Jabar), Monday, February 13.

"I am happy that Timor Leste has been in principle accepted as a member of ASEAN," said Jokowi, confiscated by Antara.

At the meeting of the ASEAN Foreign Minister this February, said Jokowi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor Leste had also participated in meetings with the status of observers or observers.

He welcomed PM Taur Matan Ruak and the entire delegation, and said last July he had also received a visit from Timorese President Leste Ramos Horta.

Jokowi hopes that the intensity of the visit of Timor Leste leaders shows a commitment to continue to strengthen relations and cooperation between RI-Timor Leste.

Before holding a bilateral meeting attended by ministers of the two countries, President Jokowi also invited PM Taur Matan Ruak to plant sandalwood trees in the backyard of the Bogor Presidential Palace, as is usually done every time he welcomes the presence of a friendly leader.

The Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste Taur Matan Ruak arrived at the Bogor Palace at around 09.55 WIB accompanied by troops riding.

When the motorcade entered the Bogor Palace area, traditional dress-up troops and the band marching of the Presidential Security Forces (Paspampres) welcomed the arrival of PM Taur Matan Ruak and Timor Leste delegates.

They were greeted on the front page of the Bogor Presidential Palace by President Joko Widodo and ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet, including Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang, Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Nadiem Makarim, and delegation from the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste.

President Joko Widodo and PM Taur Matan then listened to the national anthems of the two countries.

Furthermore, President Jokowi invited PM Taur Matan to fill in the guest book and enter the Veranda Room.