The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Magno, on February 4^th, 2023, delivered a speech during Timor-Leste’s first participation, as an Observer, in the 32nd Meeting of the Coordinating Council of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is being held in Jakarta. 

Minister Adaljiza Magno expressed that it is “a great honour and privilege to participate for the first time in this historical moment of the ASEAN Coordinating Council meeting under the chairmanship of Indonesia”. The Minister also said this is “a crucial step in our long journey to join the great ASEAN Community Family.”

The Minister took “this opportunity to review the status of national efforts in recent years during and after the conclusion of the three fact-finding missions” and reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s support “for ASEAN as the centre of gravity for safeguarding stability and growth in the region,” adding that “Timor-Leste and ASEAN share interests, challenges and responsibilities in the region”.