Timor-Leste could serve as ASEAN’s moral compass, drawing from its own history of resilience and democratic values, according to the ASEAN chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
In his speech on Wednesday (Sept 24) in Dili during the conferment of the Grand Collar of the Order, Timor Leste, Anwar reiterated that the ASEAN’s accession is a “well-earned achievement” after decades of perseverance.
He also underlined the country’s commitment to peacebuilding, dialogue, reconciliation, accountability, as well as democratic checks and balances, which are qualities ASEAN needs to reinforce Vision 2045.
In Dili, he also warned that ASEAN’s cohesion “must be earned and re-earned,” not taken for granted as the bloc’s peace and stability could be undermined. Furthermore, he added that ASEAN succeeds only when acting together, not when excluding members.
“We are successful together or not at all,” he said. Timor-Leste will join ASEAN as the 11th member on October 27, during the 47th ASEAN-related summits in Kuala Lumpur.
ASEAN, he emphasized, must be proactive in political-security and economic domains, positioning itself as the epicenter of growth in the Indo-Pacific.
As a member of the Portuguese-speaking, Lusophone Community, Timor-Leste can play a unique role in expanding ASEAN’s reach by opening channels with Brazil and other countries.
Furthermore, Dili is also a Pacific Island nation and a member of the South Pacific Forum, which could strengthen ASEAN-Pacific cooperation.
After gaining independence in 2002, the country expressed a strong desire to join ASEAN. In 2012, it officially applied to join ASEAN.
Subsequently, ASEAN drew up roadmaps that Timor-Leste needed to follow in economic, political/security, and media and culture.
At the 46th ASEAN summit in May, the ASEAN leaders decided to admit Timor-Leste in late October. To join ASEAN, Dili has to accede to various treaties, protocols, and free trade agreements before it can be officially admitted.
