[Duterview] "Half a Century of Waiting, But Worth Every Penny": Timor-Leste’s Historic Trek to ASEAN

Former Foreign Minister Adaljiza Magno reflects on the 14-year diplomatic marathon, the "Zero Enemies" policy, and the road ahead as the bloc’s 11th member.

For Timor-Leste, joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was never merely a bureaucratic box to check; it was a generational ambition first envisioned by the nation’s founding fathers in 1974. After formally applying in 2011 and navigating a rigorous 14-year assessment, the young nation secured "admission in principle" in 2022, marking a watershed moment in its history.

Adaljiza Magno, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs during the critical years of 2020 to 2023, sat down to discuss the untold stories of this diplomatic odyssey, the geopolitical nuances of the "Zero Enemies" policy, and the economic realities awaiting the bloc’s newest member.

A Historic Milestone

When asked to summarize the arduous accession journey in a single sentence, Magno offered a poignant reflection: "Half a century of waiting, but it’s worth every penny".

Following the confirmation, the atmosphere in Dili was one of collective joy and relief. "In diplomatic circles, this has been news long awaited for many years," Magno recalled, noting that partners ranging from the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) to the United States, Australia, and the EU expressed great joy over the achievement. Despite some local skepticism born of a lack of information about regional integration, the consensus among the ten ASEAN member states to accept Timor-Leste was met with deep gratitude.

The Diplomatic Breakthrough

The road to membership accelerated significantly during the recent chairmanships of Cambodia (2022) and Indonesia (2023). Magno highlighted the ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh in November 2022 as the decisive moment when leaders agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th member, granting it observer status.

"In February 2023, I attended and delivered a speech at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Jakarta, marking the first time in history that a Timorese Foreign Minister officially participated," Magno said. She vividly described the emotional weight of seeing a small Timor-Leste flag placed on the table, symbolizing their new status. This momentum culminated in May 2023 at the Labuan Bajo Summit, where Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak officially received the Roadmap for Full Membership.

Concerns Over Strong Stances on Human Rights and Democracy

In a 2015 interview with a Portuguese news agency, Shahriman Lockman of the Malaysian think tank ISIS noted the reasons behind the long delay in Timor-Leste's accession. He pointed out the potential for political and diplomatic tension, stating, "The founding members remember how Myanmar’s issues became ASEAN’s issues after its admission." When asked for her perspective on this concern, former Minister Magno offered a highly sophisticated diplomatic response:

"I am not sure whether some leaders have ever seriously considered such views, or if they are merely opinions from observers, but it has never crossed our minds to dictate how other countries should behave. We take pride in the fact that Timor-Leste is often recognized for its strong stance on democracy and human rights within the region. However, we remain mindful that our most important task lies at home—to improve the living conditions of our people and to eradicate poverty."

Economics and the "Singapore Question"

The accession process was not without its hurdles, particularly regarding Timor-Leste’s economic readiness. The nation remains heavily dependent on oil and gas revenues, which account for approximately 70 to 90 percent of total government income. With the primary Bayu-Undan field depleting, the pressure to diversify is urgent.

Some member states, notably Singapore, had previously expressed reservations about Dili's economic and institutional preparedness. Magno addressed this candidly: "Singapore has valid reasons to be concerned... However, despite expressing strong reservations, Singapore has consistently demonstrated a commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s capacity-building efforts".

She noted that nearly 1,000 Timorese public servants have been trained under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) over the past two decades. Furthermore, following the admission decision, Singapore launched the "Singapore-Timor-Leste ASEAN Readiness Support (STARS)" initiative to accelerate their integration. Internally, the government has been executing the "Timor-Leste Mobilisation Plan for ASEAN (TLAMP)" since 2018 to align with the bloc's political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars.

Navigating Great Power Competition

In an era of intensified U.S.-China rivalry, some analysts speculated that Timor-Leste’s close ties with Beijing might have complicated its bid. Magno firmly rejected the notion that her country is tilting toward any single power, citing a foreign policy of "zero enemies".

"It is not accurate to say that Timor-Leste enjoys a closer relationship with China than with the United States, or vice versa—we treat all partners with equal respect and sincerity," she asserted.

Addressing the visible Chinese presence in infrastructure, she clarified: "It is true that the Chinese government has funded and constructed several government buildings in Dili; this was simply the result of China’s offer to assist. We would have equally welcomed such offers from the United States, Australia, or any other partner nation". She emphasized that ASEAN leaders were not influenced by such geopolitical analyses in their decision-making.

A Future of Prosperity and Peace

Looking ahead, full membership promises to reshape Timor-Leste’s landscape. Economically, the country gains access to a massive regional market of 700 million people, a vital step for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and creating jobs. Socially, it opens a network of partners to help address the critical challenge of poverty reduction.

Politically, Magno sees Timor-Leste not just as a beneficiary, but as a contributor. "We take pride in the fact that Timor-Leste is often recognized for its strong stance on democracy and human rights within the region," she noted.

"Our nation has produced leaders who have won the Nobel Peace Prize and pioneered reconciliation," Magno concluded, affirming that Timor-Leste stands ready to offer its experience and expertise to serve as a mediator whenever needed.

Interview: Seulki Lee skidolma@thedunia.org