Uncertainty clouds Timor-Leste’s admission to ASEAN (Nuno Canas Mendes – East Asia Forum)

Timor-Leste’s admission into ASEAN remains undecided due to concerns about its economic, social and geopolitical conditions, despite potential benefits of eased market access, security, regional socialisation and the potential to boost its economic growth and modernisation efforts. Additionally, reservations about its readiness to join extend to potential impacts on ASEAN’s progress, alongside uncertainties about Timor-Leste’s geopolitical stance and concerns arising from its economic dependence on oil revenues, underdeveloped infrastructure and need for economic diversification.

Uncertainty clouds Timor-Leste’s admission to ASEAN | East Asia Forum