ASEAN’s Secretary-General visits Timor-Leste
The Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, payed an official three-day visit to Timor-Leste, from December 4th to December 6th, 2012, following an invitation from the Timorese Government.
On the day of the arrival, the ASEAN’s Secretary General was received by the Minister José Luís Guterres at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, were an official dinner took place.
On the second day of the visit, Dr.Surin Pitsuwan had meetings with the President of the Republic, Taur Matan Ruak, and with the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, having been received by the Government, during a Council of Ministers’ meeting. The ASEAN’s Secretary General assured the Government that Timor-Leste’s integration in the organization is “being seriously taken into account”. It is recalled that Timor-Leste submitted its application in February 2011. The application was admitted in November of the same year, during the ASEAN Heads of State and Government’s meeting, which took place in Bali.
On December 6th, even before leaving Timor-Leste, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan visited “Cristo Rei” and the Timorese Resistance’s National Museum.
ASEAN was established in August 1967, having as major goals to enhance the economic growth, social progress and cultural development on member States and also protecting peace and stability in the Southeast Asian’s region.
ASEAN’s State members are: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
