Jakarta-Asean is ready to discuss Timor-Leste’s application for membership but the process must be deliberate and systematic, Asean secretary general Surin Pitsuwan said yesterday.
In an interview with Timorexpose reporter before the Summit this weekend, Dr Surin said what Timor-Leste needs to do is explore and identify the “economic linkages, the investment opportunities and mutually beneficial interests” Timor-Leste would have with other Asean members.
In March, Timor-Leste submitted its application for membership to Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, the Asean chair. Timor-Leste wants to be admitted for to Asean in 2012.
Indonesia has expressed support for Timor-Leste’s application.
Dr Surin said: “Asean is ready to discuss (membership) but the process must be deliberate and systematic.” wenesday.
Indonesia’s help is a plus, Dr Surin said, but a lot depends on Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste’s goal of membership by 2012, may be optimistic given the fact that Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar took more than a year to gain membership from the time they applied. All countries went through a similar process.(Filipe)
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