East Timor hopes to join ASEAN under Indonesia presidency next year

BOGOR, Indonesia, July 19 (Reuters) – East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta mentioned on Tuesday throughout a go to to Indonesia that he hoped to spice up commerce ties between the nations and seal a decades-long bid by his nation to hitch the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) subsequent 12 months.

Ramos-Horta met his counterpart Joko Widodo on his first state go to to neighbouring Indonesia since he was elected in April for a second stint as president.

He beforehand served as president of East Timor, which is often known as Timor Leste, between 2007 and 2012.

“Timor Leste as a part of Southeast Asia has fulfilled most of the necessities mandatory for a functioning economic system and democracy so… can be a productive member of ASEAN,” he mentioned, noting he hoped his younger nation might be a part of the group when Indonesia takes over the presidency subsequent 12 months.

East Timor, which utilized for ASEAN membership in 2011, at present holds observer standing.

Talking on the presidential palace in Bogor, south of Jakarta, the Indonesian president mentioned his nation had invested $818 million in East Timor, primarily in vitality, banking and communication companies.

“We have agreed to extend commerce between each nations,” mentioned Widodo, who’s broadly generally known as Jokowi.

Official Indonesia knowledge exhibits commerce between the nations was value round $250 million final 12 months.

Closely depending on income from oil and fuel, the half-island nation of 1.3 million folks has grappled with diversifying its economic system and lowering excessive charges of poverty.

Indonesia invaded the previous Portuguese colony in 1975 and East Timor solely gained full independence in 2002 after a protracted and bloody wrestle to finish an usually brutal occupation.

Ramos-Horta, who received a Nobel Peace Prize for his peaceable efforts to finish the battle, mentioned he welcomed deepening commerce ties with Jakarta and Indonesia’s dedication to East Timor becoming a member of the 10-member ASEAN regional grouping.

Reporting by Yuddy Cahya Budiman in Bogor, and Zahra Matarani and Stanley Widianto in Jakarta; Writing by Kate Lamb; Enhancing by Ed Davies

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