Timor Leste's Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo. (Source: EPA)
Timor-Leste, the newest country in Southeast Asia, is confident and ready to make positive contributions to become a member nation of ASEAN, Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo has said.
In a meeting with ASEAN General Secretary Le Luong Minh in Jakarta on August 27, Timor-Leste’s PM Rui Maria de Araujo affirmed that his country highly values ASEAN and its government has been undertaking the necessary steps and internal procedures, including establishing mechanisms, to meet ASEAN requirements and duties.
Timor-Leste has so far established diplomatic representative agencies in the capital cities of all ASEAN member countries, the PM said.
General Secretary Le Luong Minh informed the PM of the final steps of the joining process and emphasised that ASEAN would create opportunities for Timor-Leste to take part in some activities as well as building Timor-Leste’s capacity and coordination procedures within ASEAN.
Timor-Leste’s PM thanked ASEAN and its Secretariat for their recent support and hoped for candid and straightforward discussions.
The PM also introduced new developments in politics and economics in Timor-Leste.
General Secretary Le Luong Minh congratulated Timor-Leste on its achievements and appreciated its cooperation with ASEAN member countries and efforts in preparation for becoming a member of ASEAN.
Timor-Leste, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste , is the smallest country in the region with an area of 15,410 square kilometres and a population of 1,201,542 in 2014.-VNA
