"It is obvious that Timor Leste is part of the Southeast Asian region."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Timor Leste have agreed to immediately settle their borderlines which are still pending, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said here on Wednesday.
He said after accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a meeting with Timor Leste`s president Xanana Gusmao that 90 percent of the borderlines between the two countries have actually been settled but some had yet to be settled including three sections between Dilumil and Memo, Bijael Sunan and Oben and Noelbesi and Citrana.
The settlement of the three sections would not only involve demarcations but also regulations regarding zones accessible by the two countries` citizens to preserve their social and family ties that have existed for years, he said.
In view of that, the two leaders have committed themselves to immediately settling the problem.
"And just now the two discussed the issue and their commitment to settling the border issue as soon as possible," he said.
Marty said in the meeting Indonesia had also reaffirmed its support for Timor Lester`s membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
"In essence, Timor Leste`s membership in ASEAN is not only a mere technical matter but also geo-political and geographical problems. It is obvious that Timor Leste is part of the Southeast Asian region. It is also obvious that the future of Southeast Asia would not be positive, prosperous and stable unless Timor Leste is part of ASEAN membership," he said.
(Uu.H-YH/S012)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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