[LABUAN BAJO, INDONESIA] Timor-Leste is taking the “necessary steps” to meet its obligations for full membership in Asean, the country’s prime minister Taur Matan Ruak said at the 42nd Asean Summit on Wednesday (May 10).

Speaking in Portuguese during his first outing as an observer at the summit, Taur outlined how the country is focusing on essential infrastructure in connectivity and “welcoming conditions”, required by a road map that Asean leaders have put together for Timor-Leste to gain full membership in the bloc.

This is shown by several investment examples, he said, such as the expansion of the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in its capital Dili as well as a submarine fibre-optic cable for speedy and secure communications.

He added that construction of modern facilities for commerce, restaurants and hotels is also underway to improve Timor-Leste’s hospitality for dignitaries, tourists and investors.

The prime minster, who goes by the popular name Taur Matan Ruak rather than his birth name Jose Maria de Vasconcelos, also gave his commitment to support Asean’s shared goal to be “open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based”, as well as to further cooperation across the bloc’s political, security, economic, social and cultural pillars.

Asean leaders in November agreed in principle for Timor-Leste to become the bloc’s 11th member, when it fulfils criteria-based milestones on a formalised road map.

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Taur also spoke about Asean’s role and ability to lead by example in bringing peace, at a time of geopolitical divides and a war in Ukraine.

He added that Timor-Leste has a duty to join the efforts of Asean and the international community, in the promotion of peace and stability in Myanmar.

Leaders of Asean collectively called for an immediate stop to all forms of violence in Myanmar, following a recent attack on a convoy delivering humanitarian aid to the conflict-stricken country.

“We were deeply concerned with ongoing violence in Myanmar and urged the immediate cessation of all forms of violence and the use of force, to create a conducive environment for the safe and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogues,” Asean leaders said in a joint statement.

“We condemned the attack and underlined that the perpetrators must be held accountable...

“We supported the efforts of the chair of Asean, including its continued engagements with all stakeholders in Myanmar, to encourage progress in the implementation of the five-point consensus.”

The five-point consensus is an agreement Asean leaders drew up in April 2021 as a potential way for Myanmar to exit its crisis, but critics say little to no progress has been made to end the violence there more than two years into the military coup.

Two staff members of the Singapore Embassy in Yangon were part of the convoy under attack, but it is unclear who else is implicated and who the perpetrators are.

Opening the summit on Wednesday morning, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said Asean will be able to play a “central role” in bringing peace and growth to the region as long as it remains united.

Growing power rivalry and unpredictable global dynamics amid an economy that has yet to recover fully, he said, “begs the question” of whether Asean will “remain a spectator”.

“Will Asean remain silent? And will Asean be capable of being an engine for peace and economic growth?” Widodo asked.

“We are confident that Asean is capable as long as we hold a key element – unity,” he said. “With unity, Asean will be able to play a central role in bringing peace and growth.”