Timor-Leste is sending a delegation of 20 officials to participate in a study-visit to the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. This will be the largest ever delegation of Timor-Leste Government officials to visit the ASEAN Secretariat and discuss ASEAN’s extensive work program.
Led and coordinated by the Directorate-General for ASEAN Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the delegation is composed of Director-Generals and Focal Points from line-ministries working towards ASEAN accession across all the three pillars: ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN Political-Security Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.
Participants will depart from Dili on Saturday, 20 July 2019 to attend a series of meetings, which are scheduled to take place from 22-24 July 2019. They will discuss various important issues, which include learning about ASEAN institutional framework and organic structure, decision-making body and processes, legal instruments and agreements, and technical cooperation.
The meeting comes after Timor-Leste’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dionísio Babo Soares, was invited to pay a courtesy visit on the ASEAN Secretary-General, Dato Lim Jock Hoi, in Jakarta in May 2019. The two discussed, agreed and have since coordinated to realize this important visit.
ASEAN membership is a national and strategic priority for Timor-Leste. Membership will see benefits to the national economy, to the greater economy of ASEAN Member States and to the enhancement of peace and stability in the ASEAN region.
This year marks 8th anniversary of Timor-Leste formal submission to join the ASEAN family of nations. Since Timor-Leste’s application in 2011, the country has taken great strides in ensuring that it is ready for the technical demands of a fully participating ASEAN member.