TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi had a bilateral talk with Timor Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday, September 4, 2023.

He disclosed three things to be conveyed during the meeting. One of them is about Timor Leste's membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN.

“Indonesia has consistently supported Timor Leste’s membership application and the implementation of the membership roadmap, including by building the capacity of Timor Leste's officials,” Jokowi said at the meeting.

Jokowi also congratulated Xanana on his appointment as Prime Minister of Timor Leste. He said Indonesia and Timor Leste are close relatives. “Indonesia and Timor Leste are brothers, so our partnership must be strengthened,” he stressed.

As previously reported, Xanana disclosed the reason why Timor Leste wanted to become the bloc's 11th member. “Full ASEAN membership will boost trust, which will lead to increased investment in Timor Leste,” Xanana said at the Sultan Hotel, Jakarta, on Monday, September 4, 2023.

Xanana stressed the urgency and importance of Timor Leste's current need for foreign investment. Therefore, he wanted to collaborate with ASEAN to promote the country's economic growth and development.

According to Xanana, the process of encouraging investment requires the participation of a broad network. That way, he believed that collaboration with ASEAN countries would help the country improve the welfare of society by increasing per capita income and receding poverty.

AMELIA RAHIMA SARI | RIANI SANUSI PUTRI

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