Timor-Leste joining ASEAN has the support of the President of Indonesia
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zacarias da Costa, has been in Jakarta since the 1st of March, to participate in the 5th Joint Ministerial Meeting between Timor-Leste and Indonesia.
During the meeting the minister presented a letter from the President of the Republic, Ramos-Horta, reaffirming Timor-Leste’s wish to join ASEAN and thanking the President of Indonesia, on behalf of the Government and the people of Timor-Leste, for it’s constant support, demonstrated on several occasions through President Susilo Babang Yodhoyono and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yodhoyno Marty Natalegawa,.
Zacarias da Costa talked with Susilo Babang Yodhoyono about the progress reached in the bilateral relations between both countries, “especially in the implementation of the measures advocated by the Truth and Friendship Commission and also other progress registered in the Joint Ministerial Commission, such as the will to conclude the process of land border demarcation during the year 2011 and to complete the border passes.” At the same time he transmitted the intention of the Prime Minister to have a bilateral meeting with the President of Indonesia, during the month of March.
In turn, the President of Indonesia said he was satisfied to receive the Timor-Leste delegation in this 5th Joint Ministerial Meeting which “symbolizes Indonesia’s interest in developing a good relationship with Timor-Leste and to develop all necessary contacts to obtain the support from the rest of the Members States of ASEAN for Timor-Leste’s admission into this Organisation.”
“The Republic of Indonesia will make every effort in order to fulfil Timor-Leste’s dream: to become a full member of ASEAN during the presidency of Indonesia in this Organization,” declared the President of Indonesia, Susilo Babang Yodhoyono.
