Welcome to Labuan Bajo, Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, and welcome to the ASEAN organization as well
Labuan Bajo, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Tuesday congratulated Timor Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak over his country's admission to ASEAN during a bilateral meeting in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

The bilateral meeting took place on the sidelines of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, which is being held from May 9–11, 2023.

"Welcome to Labuan Bajo, Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, and welcome to the ASEAN organization as well," President Jokowi remarked after the first session of their bilateral meeting at Meruorah Hotel, Labuan Bajo.

This is not the first time the president has clearly shown his support for Timor Leste's full participation in ASEAN.

When PM Ruak visited Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on February 13, 2023, as part of a state visit, Joko Widodo said that Indonesia, as chair of the 2023 ASEAN, was preparing a road map for Timor Leste's full participation in the regional cooperation grouping.

Last November, Southeast Asian leaders in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, agreed in principle to accept Timor Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN.

Since then, Timor Leste representatives have been allowed to attend ASEAN meetings in the capacity of observers. This has included the arrival of PM Ruak to participate in the 42nd Summit this year.

Timor Leste's membership of ASEAN was also one of the topics discussed at the summit, including by ASEAN foreign ministers at the 33rd Meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) on Tuesday, which was also attended by Timor Leste Foreign Minister Adalijza Magno.

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said that the ACC meeting discussed recommendations regarding the road map for Timor Leste to obtain full membership status, among other things.

"I believe we can agree to the recommendations of this road map and help our brothers and sisters in Timor Leste. We are ready to contribute to help them get a full membership," Marsudi remarked.

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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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