The agreement was made clear through a joint statement of the ASEAN leaders on Wednesday (May 10).
"Following the decision to accept Timor-Leste, in principle, as the 11th member of ASEAN, we adopted a road map for the full membership of Timor-Leste in ASEAN," according to the joint statement.
"We would like to reaffirm our support to facilitate Timor-Leste in its efforts to achieve a milestone by providing assistance in capacity-building as well as other kinds of relevant assistance required for the full membership of Timor-Leste in ASEAN," the statement noted.
Related news: Timor-Leste ready to fulfill obligations to gain full ASEAN membership
Timor-Leste officially submitted its request to become a full member of ASEAN in 2011. On the occasion of the 41st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in November last year, the ASEAN countries agreed, in principle, to accept the request.
In response to the agreement, the ASEAN has started to formulate a dedicated road map that outlines various steps that Timor-Leste has to go through in order to gain full membership. The steps include the obligation to fulfill agreements or treaties under the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars of ASEAN.
Meanwhile, Timor-Leste, while attending its unprecedented ASEAN Summit, stated that it was ready to fulfill its obligations to gain full membership in ASEAN.
On Tuesday (May 9), Prime Minister of Timor Leste Taur Matan Ruak stated that the government had taken various steps for gaining membership, including the expansion of Nicolau Lobato Airport in the capital city of Dili and the creation of a reliable communication network through underwater optic cables.
Related news: Indonesia to support Timor-Leste in gaining full ASEAN membership
Related news: Indonesia readies road map for Timor Leste's full ASEAN membership
Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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