Indonesia Reaffirms Support for Timor Leste's Integration Process in ASEAN

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has reiterated Indonesia's full support for Timor Leste's integration process in ASEAN.

IDXChannel -  Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has reiterated Indonesia's full support for Timor Leste's integration process in ASEAN. 

Retno attended an ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) meeting in Vientiane, Laos on Tuesday (8/10/2024). The meeting aims to discuss the ASEAN institutional process prior to the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits.

During the meeting, Retno proposed three key steps to support Timor Leste's integration process in the regional bloc.

First, the need to establish a special support unit for Timor-Leste in the ASEAN Secretariat, to support the various milestones of the roadmap for Timor Leste's integration.

Second, the importance of focusing on institutional and technical capacity building, so that Timor-Leste can play an active role in the ASEAN Community Building process across all three pillars.

Third, increasing Timor-Leste's participation in ASEAN meetings. “I think it is time for Timor-Leste to be involved in substantive discussions and in shaping ASEAN priorities,” Retno said in her speech.

Closing her speech, Retno expressed her appreciation for the Lao Chairmanship of ASEAN which has helped maintain the continuity of ASEAN work, and affirmed Indonesia's support for Malaysia's Chairmanship of ASEAN next year. (Wahyu Dwi Anggoro)