Timor Leste to join ASEAN 1

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Sorry, I changed the tittle because... I don't have enough material to focus on PNG. Thus, I will be focusing more on Timor Leste and ASEAN.

Imagine if Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea could join ASEAN, hopefully there could be more integrated community economically, socially, and politically against outside forces (China, USA) in South East Asia. Both China and USA has the unfortunate habit of fighting their war outside of their country and we don't need to be involved in their quarrels. Plus ASEAN trading bloc that accommodates 500 million people whose economies have enjoyed unprecedented growth could help other economy of fellow new ASEAN members like Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea.

Sure there're still problems in Papua New Guinea and Timor leste, but you know what, about 15 years ago, ASEAN was sharply criticized for allowing Cambodia, Laos and Burma into the trading bloc. The three were seen as either ill-equipped, corrupt or morally bankrupt. Those criticisms were probably justified, but with the benefit of hindsight, Cambodia and Laos are now much better places because of their admission, despite their flaws. Burma is showing some signs of finally opening up. The bait has been Naypyidaw’s desire to exercise its right to chair the prestigious annual ASEAN summit in 2014.

Times have since changed, ASEAN has evolved into a formidable political institution, and perhaps the ASEAN should re-visit Papua New Guinea’s and Timor Leste's application. So, what do you guys think?


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=> Why Timor-Leste should join ASEAN now
May 16th, 2011
Author: President J. Ramos-Horta, Timor-Leste

Our desire to join ASEAN is a long-standing one and in the last 10 years we have shown unequivocal determination to join the organisation.

Geographically, we are very much part of Southeast Asia. Indonesia has shown statesmanship, vision and a real sense of history by being among those who are most strongly advocating for Timor-Leste’s early membership — as early as this year.

Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Brunei, The Philippines, Cambodia and Myanmar have expressed public support. When I visited Cambodia a few weeks ago, I was told by Prime Minister Hun Sen that in preparation for Cambodia’s 2012 chairmanship of ASEAN, they are already making additional arrangements to accommodate Timor-Leste as the 11th member. Prime Minister Hun Sen said in his usual straightforward way: ‘If Indonesia is so supportive of Timor-Leste joining ASEAN now, why should any of us object?’ Even Myanmar has expressed support for an early membership in spite of our criticisms of the regime’s human rights record. But Singapore, while agreeing with Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership, objects to early membership as, it argues, Timor-Leste is not yet ready to absorb the many challenges and complexities of ASEAN membership. Below I argue why Timor-Leste is ready to join ASEAN.

- Social, economic, political and security conditions
- Transparency, good governance
- Democracy, human rights, foreign relations

Source :[link]

=> Timor Leste Is Ready To Join ASEAN

Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão declared that Timor-Leste is ready to join together with the ten countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“We are ready to join ASEAN and we are ready to be involved in ASEAN’s Regional Development Strategic Agenda such as global economic transition and others areas when Timor-Leste becomes an ASEAN member,” said Gusmão.

Gusmão made the comments when delivering his speech in Bali Democracy Forum V held at Bali International Convention Center, in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia. Source :[link]

=> Timor-Leste Keen on Attracting ASEAN Investment

Foreign Minister Guterres said that 80 percent of its trade is with Indonesia and Singapore. He also informed Secretary-General Minh that Embassies of Timor-Leste in ASEAN countries have been requested to facilitate the submission of tender proposals by companies for infrastructure projects, such as roads and ports, in Timor-Leste. To date, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines have been the three most active ASEAN Member States participating in the development projects of Timor-Leste.

During their meeting, the Secretary-General updated Foreign Minister Guterres on the current work carried out by the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group (ACCWG) in assessing Timor Leste’s application to join ASEAN and specifically, the implications of Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN in all three pillars, namely, political-security, economic and socio-cultural.
Source :[link]

Timor Leste OC design by
Philippines OC design by
Brunei Darussalam OC design by
Hetalia belongs to Himaruya Hidekaz
Indonesia aph and Malaysia aph based on Himaruya's sketch. ([link])
Singapore OC by dinosaurusgede