Vice Minister for Commerce, Industry and Environment Constancio Pintosaid on June 4 that he appreciated the support from the VietnameseGovernment for Timor-Leste’s candidacy for membership in ASEAN.
Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency’s reporter in Timor-Leste, hevoiced his hope that Timor-Leste would join the bloc in the next twoyears.
Its admittance to the ASEAN was vastlywelcomed by member states during the 26 th ASEAN Summit in Malaysialast April, the vice minister said, adding that Timor-Leste’s membershipapplication has been evaluated by an ASEAN working group and did nothave any negative feedback.
The country hasestablished embassies in ASEAN member countries, which Pinto regarded asan advantage towards full membership recognition.
Timor-Leste lodged its application in March 2011 and has been workingto improve its resource quality and implement regime reforms to satisfyall ASEAN requirements, especially in the context of the upcoming ASEANEconomic Community formation by the end of 2015.
The nation has huge potential in energy, tourism and rice and coffeeproductions. Energy is the most promising sector, where the nation hasbeen inviting investment from foreign countries including ASEAN memberstates, Pinto noted.
He also expressed hisdelight at the Vietnamese military-run telecom group Viettel, thefounder of Telemor in Timor-Leste. The brand has become the leadingtelecommunication service provider in the country since it wasestablished three years ago, contributing to local infrastructure andeconomic development as well as generating jobs for many local people.-VNA
Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency’s reporter in Timor-Leste, hevoiced his hope that Timor-Leste would join the bloc in the next twoyears.
Its admittance to the ASEAN was vastlywelcomed by member states during the 26 th ASEAN Summit in Malaysialast April, the vice minister said, adding that Timor-Leste’s membershipapplication has been evaluated by an ASEAN working group and did nothave any negative feedback.
The country hasestablished embassies in ASEAN member countries, which Pinto regarded asan advantage towards full membership recognition.
Timor-Leste lodged its application in March 2011 and has been workingto improve its resource quality and implement regime reforms to satisfyall ASEAN requirements, especially in the context of the upcoming ASEANEconomic Community formation by the end of 2015.
The nation has huge potential in energy, tourism and rice and coffeeproductions. Energy is the most promising sector, where the nation hasbeen inviting investment from foreign countries including ASEAN memberstates, Pinto noted.
He also expressed hisdelight at the Vietnamese military-run telecom group Viettel, thefounder of Telemor in Timor-Leste. The brand has become the leadingtelecommunication service provider in the country since it wasestablished three years ago, contributing to local infrastructure andeconomic development as well as generating jobs for many local people.-VNA
