East Timor has Indonesia’s backing, but road to Asean filled with financial concerns

East Timor’s ascension to Asean is likely one of Indonesia’s priorities as the bloc’s current chair, with a ‘full road map’ drawn up, analysts said

As Asean member, the island will have to attend 1,300 meetings a year, have the infrastructure to host summits, and ability to contribute US$2.5 million per year to the group’s budget

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President Joko Widodo (right) said following talks with his East Timor counterpart Taur Matan Ruak (left) that a blueprint for the island state was being prepared, with his government leading the initiative. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 5:15pm, 16 Feb 2023

Indonesia is drawing up a “full road map” that will allow neighbouring East Timor to become Asean’s 11th member, making use of its regional influence and position as this year’s chair of the bloc.

President Joko Widodo said following talks with his East Timor counterpart Taur Matan Ruak on Monday that a blueprint for the island state was being prepared, with his government leading the initiative.

It is likely that the Asean ascension of East Timor, which gained independence from Indonesia in 2003, was among Jakarta’s priorities as the current chair as this year will be the last time Widodo hosts an Asean summit before the 2024 election, analysts said.

Asean last year resolved to make the island state its newest member, with officials from Dili granted observer status – which affords no decision-making authority – from this year. There is no firm timeline for the country to be granted full membership.

The move to expand the bloc – even as it grapples with questions over its handling of the violence in junta-ruled Myanmar – has been widely praised by the international community. However, economic limitations will be the ultimate challenge for East Timor once it becomes an Asean member, analysts told This Week in Asia.

Observers said the road map is likely to contain a set of milestones that East Timor must meet to ensure it has the capacity to abide by the Asean Charter, the group’s institutional framework, and to host Asean meetings on its shore.

Southeast Asian foreign ministers met in Indonesia’s capital earlier this month. Photo: Indonesian Presidential Palace via AP

The plan will also help Asean members determine how they can help East Timor in fulfilling these obligations, which may not be cheap, the experts said. Jakarta aims to finalise the road map before the coming Asean Summit in May.