Timor Leste PM Is Confirmed To Attend The ASEAN Summit In Labuan Bajo

President Joko Widodo welcomed the official visit of the Prime Minister (PM) of Timor Leste, Taur Matan Ruak, at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Bogor, West Java, Monday (13/2/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Biro Press of the Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

JAKARTA - The Prime Minister of Timor Leste Taur Matan Ruak was confirmed to attend and participate in the 42nd Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on 9-11 May 2023.

According to the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Teuku Faizasyah, the presence of PM Taur Matan Ruak with observer status (observer) is considered special because it is the first time in history and affirms Indonesia's commitment to encouraging Timor Leste to join as a member of ASEAN.

"Indonesia consistently continues to support the entry of Timor Leste to become the 11th member of ASEAN," said Faizasyah as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, May 6.

Discussions to perfect the roadmap design for Timor Leste's full membership, he said, are still ongoing within the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group on Timor Leste (ACK-WGTL).

Faizasyah mentioned several criteria that Timor Leste still had to meet, including adjustments to national rules related to ASEAN agreements and documents, as well as the establishment of the country's diplomatic mission for ASEAN.

In this preparation, Indonesia has provided several assistance programs to increase the capacity of the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) for Timor Leste.

At the ASEAN Summit at Phnom Penh in November 2022, ASEAN has in principle approved the entry of Timor Leste as the 11th member.

Then in February 2023, the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) at the ASEAN foreign minister level has adopted the Guidelines for the Implementation of Observer Status given to Timor Leste in ASEAN.

Timor's Foreign Minister Leste Adaljiza Magno was also present as an observer at the ACC meeting.