JAKARTA: Indonesia, as the Asean chair for this year, is preparing a roadmap to support the full membership of Timor Leste in the regional association.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo made the announcement in a joint statement issued with Timor Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province on Feb 13, according to Vietname news agency (VNA).
The President said that in principle, Timor Leste has been accepted as a member of Asean.
A roadmap for full membership is being readied, led by Indonesia as the current chair of Asean, it added.
He expressed he was pleased with the acceptance of Timor Leste as a member of Asean, in accordance with the results of the Asean Summit 2022 in Cambodia.
VNA also reported that Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said she believes that Timor Leste’s Asean membership could contribute to improving the stability and prosperity of the region. – BERNAMA
