Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesia, as the chairof ASEAN this year, is preparing a roadmap to support the full membership of TimorLeste in the regional association.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo  madethe announcement in a joint statement issued with Timor Leste Prime MinisterTaur Matan Ruak at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province on February13.

The President said that in principle, Timor Leste hasbeen accepted as a member of ASEAN. A roadmap for full membership is beingreadied, led by Indonesia as the current chair of ASEAN.

He expressed he was pleased with the acceptance of Timor Leste as a member ofASEAN, in accordance with the results of the ASEAN Summit 2022 in Cambodia.

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said she believes that TimorLeste's ASEAN membership could contribute to improving the stability andprosperity of the region.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Minister of Timor Leste Adaljiza Albertina XavierReis Magno had joined the 32nd ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) meeting inJakarta on February 3, 2023, as an observer.

However, the ACC still needs to discuss the further steps for Timor Leste toobtain ASEAN's full membership after the country’s initial participationin the meeting.

Prime Minister Ruak's visit on February 13 was his third official visit to Indonesia. Hehad earlier visited Indonesia as the President of Timor Leste in 2014 and 2015.

During the visit, four memorandum of understanding (MoUs) inthe economy, education, and industry sectors were inked by the two countries../