Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN is a ‘significant milestone’ for the region, says the Prime Minister of Singapore
On July 14th, 2025, the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, met with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lawrence Wong, as part of an official visit to the country at the invitation of his counterpart. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore and was attended by the Vice Prime Minister and Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Rangel. 
During the meeting, the two sides analyzed the strengthening of bilateral cooperation, with particular emphasis on Timor-Leste's full membership as the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), scheduled for the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025. Lawrence Wong stressed that “Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN is a significant milestone, both for your country and for ASEAN”. The Head of the Government of Singapore also emphasized that ‘bilateral relations between Singapore and Timor-Leste will continue to deepen’, referring to the opening of the Embassy of Singapore in Dili in 2024 and the growing interest of Singaporean companies in investing in the country. 
At the official luncheon held in honor of the Head of Government of Timor-Leste, Lawrence Wong announced the launch of ‘Enhanced Singapore-Timor-Leste ASEAN Readiness Support’ (eSTARS), a technical support package designed to train Timorese cadres to participate more actively in ASEAN meetings and agreements. The program, which will run from July 2025 to December 2028, includes training in international trade, economic law and leadership programs. ‘Singapore will continue to stand by you on this journey and looks forward to welcoming you warmly into the ASEAN family,’ he said. 
Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão thanked Singapore for its ‘continued support and friendship’, ‘especially in the training’ of Timorese staff ‘and technical cooperation’. He also emphasized that ‘ASEAN is very important for the peace and progress of our region and Timor-Leste remains committed to contributing positively to its success. 
As part of his visit, the head of the government of Timor-Leste also met with the President of the Republic of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, at the Istana Palace. The President of Singapore said that the visit ‘strengthens bilateral cooperation and contributes to consolidating regional peace and security’, also praising ‘the leadership of Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, who managed to lead Timor-Leste to independence and continues to work for the country to become the 11th member of ASEAN.’ 
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão's official visit to Singapore runs from July 13th to 16th 2025 and includes several meetings with the country's highest authorities, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and regional cooperation. END
