East Timor is ready and willing to become a member of the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at any time from now on, according toJose Antonio Amorim Dias, East Timor’s Ambassador to Malaysia.
Ambassador Amorim Dias said that his country has gained enoughconfidence and experience to assume all responsibilities of a membernation of ASEAN, including having enough personnel to attend ASEAN’smeetings throughout the year.
The smallest andnewest Southeast Asian country, however, has not yet set any specificdate to join the association, he said.
Amorim Diasadmitted joining the bloc is a long and complicated process but saidEast Timorese people wanted ASEAN to accept their country’s applicationas soon as possible.
East Timor submitted itsapplication for ASEAN membership in March, 2011 and was welcomed by mostof the association’s member nations except for Singapore, who said thatit wanted East Timor to be fully and appropriately prepared.
The ambassador promised once becoming an ASEAN member, his countrywould double its efforts to improve its capacities to participate in allprocesses of the association.
Acknowledged thebenefit of being an ASEAN nation, the ambassador stated that his countryis not seeking financial support from member nations and affirmed thathis country will take on all duties and responsibilities of a membercountry.
Amorum Dias expressed his hope that at the26th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia at the end of this month, the ASEAN membernations will take positive moves showing their commitments to includingEast Timor as their bloc peer.-VNA
Ambassador Amorim Dias said that his country has gained enoughconfidence and experience to assume all responsibilities of a membernation of ASEAN, including having enough personnel to attend ASEAN’smeetings throughout the year.
The smallest andnewest Southeast Asian country, however, has not yet set any specificdate to join the association, he said.
Amorim Diasadmitted joining the bloc is a long and complicated process but saidEast Timorese people wanted ASEAN to accept their country’s applicationas soon as possible.
East Timor submitted itsapplication for ASEAN membership in March, 2011 and was welcomed by mostof the association’s member nations except for Singapore, who said thatit wanted East Timor to be fully and appropriately prepared.
The ambassador promised once becoming an ASEAN member, his countrywould double its efforts to improve its capacities to participate in allprocesses of the association.
Acknowledged thebenefit of being an ASEAN nation, the ambassador stated that his countryis not seeking financial support from member nations and affirmed thathis country will take on all duties and responsibilities of a membercountry.
Amorum Dias expressed his hope that at the26th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia at the end of this month, the ASEAN membernations will take positive moves showing their commitments to includingEast Timor as their bloc peer.-VNA
