Timor-Leste is steadily carving its place in the ASEAN family, with several milestones already achieved under the official roadmap, said ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
ASEAN leaders are expected to further deliberate on Timor-Leste’s membership bid. (Photo: nst.com.my)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Timor-Leste is steadily carving its place in the ASEAN family, with several milestones already achieved under the official roadmap, said ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
He told the press that the country’s engagement in ASEAN meetings has significantly increased this year, adding it attended about 90% of the bloc’s meetings in Quarter 1 of this year as compared to 83% last year.
On the concrete steps taken, Kao highlighted the establishment of a dedicated ASEAN state coordination unit within Timor-Leste's government, a move aimed at aligning the country's internal structure with ASEAN mechanisms.
ASEAN partners attending the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits also discussed these developments, evaluating Timor-Leste's implementation of the membership roadmap, which was endorsed at the 42nd Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, in 2023.
One major factor that could shape the timeline for Timor-Leste's accession is the anticipated adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its four strategic plans, which are expected to be endorsed during this summit, he said.
Timor-Leste's Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas expressed confidence that full membership could be achieved as early as this year.
💝 Timor-Leste was granted observer status in 2022, marking its first official step into the ASEAN framework./.
The adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, along with four strategies, demonstrates ASEAN's proactive approach, not only adapting to a changing world, but also leading with solidarity, mettle and a common vision.
The ASEAN Community Vision 2045, along with new cooperation strategies, will serve as a framework for joint action, proactive adaptation, and enhanced development in the region, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said, stressing the need for ASEAN to strengthen its resilience, particularly economic resilience, to withstand external shocks.
The ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will bring together leaders from ASEAN member state, Timor-Leste, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, and China.
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Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
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The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
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