Pt.2-Timor Leste Joins ASEAN - Opportunities

This is the 2nd part of the in-depth look at Timor-Leste's journey to joining ASEAN! In this second part, we explore the key reasons behind Timor-Leste's desire to become an ASEAN member and the broader implications for the region.
Why Does Timor-Leste Want to Join ASEAN?
Timor-Leste stands to gain significantly from ASEAN membership:
Enhanced Security: Membership would provide Timor-Leste with greater security through regional norms prioritizing peace and dialogue.
Access to Markets: Timor-Leste would gain entry to a vast regional market of over 600 million people.
Economic Benefits: Joining ASEAN free trade agreements could attract foreign investment and promote sustainable development.
Political Standing: ASEAN membership would elevate Timor-Leste's regional influence and offer opportunities to engage with global leaders.
Implications for ASEAN
Timor-Leste's membership could:
Boost ASEAN's Prestige: Elevate ASEAN's status on the global stage as a responsible international community member.
Expand Influence: Provide ASEAN with new opportunities to engage with Portuguese-speaking countries.
Potential Risks for ASEAN
However, there are potential challenges:
Cultural Integration: Concerns that Timor-Leste's Western influences might create friction within ASEAN's consensus-driven framework.
Benefits for ASEAN Citizens
Tourism: Timor-Leste could become a new travel hotspot within ASEAN, especially with the adoption of the 30-day visa-free travel rule, making its unique landscapes and cultural heritage more accessible.
Join us as we delve into these aspects and discuss what Timor-Leste's ASEAN membership means for the region and its citizens. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave your comments below!

[@2012raana]

Very useful information on Timor Leste these are issues which do not reach us through the fast breaking news media.

[@dr.ilangokaruppannan]

Indeed..These are issues that don't come under the radar

[@sundaram93]

Besides trade, economic and security reasons, I would think ASEAN should open up to TL on humanitarian grounds. It’s a new country which has endured much hardship for many years. Who better than ASEAN to assist and guide in the turnaround. Perhaps it’s an opportunity for Indonesia to make up or compensate for its harsh treatment of TL during its occupation. Well, they don’t need to mention it as such, any neighbourly help in the name of ASEAN brotherhood will go a long way to lift the livelihood of TL.

[@dr.ilangokaruppannan]

Indeed. ASEAN has a reponsibility to help TL which we couldn't do when it was under Indonesian rule

[@Zane_Ryan]

Very interesting to see how Timor-Leste adheres to ASEAN's consensus after a two-year waitlist. I agree with ASEAN's decision to slowly accept Timor-Leste into the system, pushing them away towards other blocs is never a good idea no matter how impoverished they are (compared to its neighbors). Either way, it will be challenging for all ASEAN member states to fully accept an impoverished country into the group. On a side note about the tourism part: I've heard of destitution and gang violence in PNG from a friend who lived there for several years, I imagine Timor-Leste might probably face the same predicament and will definitely take years (if not decades) for it to be a viable tourist destination for its neighbors.

[@dr.ilangokaruppannan]

I agree with your observations about the challenges of accepting TL's membership. It will surely need help. Singapore has dedicated programmes to help with capacity building for TL bureaucrats. More help will be needed.

[@dr.ilangokaruppannan]

On the security part I guess that it is one of the things that TL will have to work on.

[@indianwp]

Met a guy during my morning walk and he mention teachers are in demand there.

[@dr.ilangokaruppannan]

What is the language requirement?

[@dhamokrishnan4895]

Even if Timor Leste brings in western influence, it can bring more development as it can open the door to multinatonals to set up shop there thereby creating job oportunities for the locals. Tourism as you mentioned Dato, sounds interesting as well. All in all it's exciting times ahead for the people of Timor Leste.

[@dr.ilangokaruppannan]

I think its a win-win for all. When we look at how the rest of Southeast Asia is now a normal space shows that TL can also do the same.