By Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Timor-Leste is on the verge of attaining full membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), having fulfilled about 70 per cent of the required criteria.
Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Malaysia, Lisualdo Gaspar, highlighted that Timor-Leste has actively participated in ASEAN affairs since being granted observer status in 2022, following the leaders’ in-principle acceptance of its application.
The ambassador said that in 2023, ASEAN members endorsed a roadmap for its accession, and since then, the country has been intensively working to meet the outlined criteria.
“Out of the seven criteria required, we have successfully fulfilled five. Two remaining criteria pertain to infrastructure readiness, particularly for when Timor-Leste eventually chairs ASEAN, and legal instruments related to the economic pillar,” he said during an interview on the programme The Nation: Diplomatic Dispatch, produced by Bernama TV, here on Tuesday.
The ambassador stated that while the country has expressed full adherence to the political and socio-cultural pillars, there remain 62 economic instruments to comply with, around 70 per cent of which have already been addressed.
He expressed gratitude to ASEAN members, particularly Malaysia, for their technical assistance in preparing Timor-Leste’s officials for integration.
Assessing the likelihood of full ASEAN membership this year, the ambassador rated it a “7 to 8 out of 10,” underscoring the nation's commitment to the process while acknowledging that the final approval rests on ASEAN leaders’ consensus.
"Joining ASEAN is a top priority for us. We have demonstrated our commitment through tangible progress, and we hope that under Malaysia’s chairmanship, our accession will materialise,” he stressed.
Gaspar said Timor-Leste is also focusing on diversifying its economy, which remains heavily reliant on oil and gas revenues.
“The government is investing in infrastructure to create a conducive environment for economic activities, with a particular emphasis on agriculture, tourism, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
"Our priority is to develop agriculture for food security and income generation, while tourism and hospitality have the potential to drive economic growth.
"We are also advancing efforts to establish a petrochemical industry, including an oil refinery and LNG processing facilities, to create jobs and stimulate the local economy," the ambassador explained.
Additionally, Gaspar said the country is in the final stages of installing a nationwide fibre-optic network, which is expected to facilitate digitalisation and align with ASEAN’s Digital Economy Framework.
The ambassador said Timor-Leste has already adopted a National Single Window for trade facilitation, enhancing its integration with regional markets.
On strengthening ties with Malaysia, Gaspar said Timor-Leste is keen to deepen cooperation with Malaysia, particularly in education.
He said the government has allocated funds for Timorese students to study at Malaysian universities, recognising Malaysia’s strong academic and research institutions.
"Last year, 32 students received government scholarships to study in Malaysia, and we plan to increase this number in the coming years.
"Studying here will expose our students to advanced technology and industry collaborations, equipping them with skills vital for our national development," he said.
To attract more Malaysian visitors, Gaspar said Timor-Leste had recently introduced visa-free entry for Malaysian citizens and had also concluded an air services agreement with Malaysia, paving the way for direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Dili.
"Infrastructure investment is key to improving connectivity, and we are developing new tourism attractions along our beaches and mountains to promote ecotourism," the ambassador stated.
With these efforts, Gaspar said Timor-Leste is positioning itself as a dynamic and forward-looking member of the ASEAN community, eager to integrate fully into the region’s economic and geopolitical framework.
-- BERNAMA
