Vinculado, Stephanie Claire V.

10-04-22
AB POLSCI III

Reasons why Timor Leste did not participate in ASEAN

 There are three possible reasons that might answer the question of why Timor-Leste is still not a
member of ASEAN, which are due to change of ASEAN’s legal personality, what Timor-Leste
has to offer, and foreign influence.
Reference: https://asc.fisipol.ugm.ac.id/2019/12/18/timor-lestes-asean-membership-to-be-or-not-
to-be/
 To be a new member, under the Charter, Timor-Leste has to align its legal framework to with
ASEAN legal instruments and ASEAN Community Blueprint. The study shows that by 2015,
Timor-Leste has only 1.6% binding its legal frameworks with ASEAN’s agreement while it was
targeted to be fully compliant with the increase 50% in legal alignment by June 2018.nd goals.
 All member states support Timor-Leste’s admission and it comes without full assurance, stating
that Timor-Leste is still lacking in economic capability and human resources. Timor-Leste still
needs to improve its human resources as its Human Capital Index was listed at the lowest among
all the ASEAN members.
 Another factor that influences the delaying of Timor-Leste’s membership admission is the fear of
possible foreign influence. It is important to be noted that, China as one of the first country to
recognize Timor-Leste, has been sending helps and assistance towards Timor-Leste since its
independence. This includes mostly infrastructure, military and government facilities. As
mentioned previously, improvement in economy and human resources is needed by Timor-Leste
in securing its possibility to become a member of ASEAN. These aids are helpful for Timor-
Leste’s development; however, it is problematic at the same time as ASEAN by accepting Timor-
Leste would mean that China may influence Timor-Leste’s decision in ASEAN. Thus, hampering
the consensus decision-making process.
Reference: https://asc.fisipol.ugm.ac.id/2019/12/18/timor-lestes-asean-membership-to-be-or-
not-to-be/

What is an intergovernmental organization?

 Intergovernmental organizations have been conceived as formal institutions whose members are
states. Such organizations are called intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) because the
governments of nation-states voluntarily join, contribute financing and make decisions within the
organization (UN, NATO, EU).
 All IGOs have states as their formal members.
 IGOs may have universal membership (the UN) or limited membership (the EU, the Arab
League).
 IGOs can be multi-or general-purpose organizations or have narrow mandates. For example,
International Labor Organization (ILO) is charged with setting international labor standards.
 IGOs have a special status under international law in that they have international legal
personality. International legal personality means IGOs have the capacity to act under
international law. In order to attain legal personality, the organization must be a permanent
association of states that possesses some power that is distinct from that of its member states,
with that power being exercised at the international level.
  The legal personality of IGOs enables them to act in a manner that is similar to how states act.
IGOs can reach international agreements with other international organizations and states.
 IGOs have many of the same privileges of states, like the right to sue in national courts, or
immunities.
 The international legal personality of an IGO is established through a constitutive treaty, which is
the charter of the IGO.
Reference: https://slideplayer.com/slide/6402785/

Efforts of ASEAN towards the concept of arm struggling

 The ASEAN Leaders have agreed to establish the ASEAN Political-Security Community
(APSC). The APSC shall aim to ensure that countries in the region live at peace with one another
and with the world in a just, democratic and harmonious environment. The members of the
Community pledge to rely exclusively on peaceful processes in the settlement of intra-regional
differences and regard their security as fundamentally linked to one another and bound by
geographic location, common vision and objectives. It has the following components: political
development; shaping and sharing of norms; conflict prevention; conflict resolution; post-conflict
peace building; and implementing mechanisms.
References: https://asean.org/our-communities/asean-political-security-community/
https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/APSC_BluePrint.pdf