“My understanding is Indonesia did a good job with hosting ASEAN leaders. Amongst other key topics discussed, we welcomed the issuance of a road map for Timor-Leste to join ASEAN and look forward to supporting Timor-Leste and ASEAN in that process,” he told ANTARA in Jakarta.
ASEAN develops relations and dialogue cooperation and partnerships with countries, sub-regional, regional, and international organizations and institutions. The US began engaging with ASEAN as a dialogue partner in 1977.
According to Abraham, the US is deeply committed to supporting ASEAN centrality.
He said that the US and ASEAN share a set of values, including an appreciation for a rule-based international system of laws and principles that protect the sovereignty of all nations.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) welcomed Timor-Leste’s first participation at the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, on May 10-11, 2023.
Timor-Leste was admitted in principle as the 11th member of the bloc at a summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in November 2022.
During the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo on May 10, ASEAN leaders agreed to finalize the road map for Timor-Leste’s full membership in the bloc.
The road map outlines several steps that Dili will need to take, including fulfilling agreements or treaties under the political-security, economic, and sociocultural pillars of ASEAN.
Related news: ASEAN finalizes road map for full membership of Timor-Leste
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Reporter: Shofi Ayudiana
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
