Timor-Leste looks to join ASEAN by 2020

The Government and people of Timor-Leste are working hard in economic development and national construction, towards joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by 2020.
Timor-Leste looks to join ASEAN by 2020 ảnh 1Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Rui Maria de Araujo (Source: VNA)

Dili (VNA) – The Government and people of Timor-Leste are working hard in economic development and national construction, towards joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by 2020.

Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Rui Maria de Araujo said joining the ASEAN is the dream of the country and Timor-Leste will do its utmost to realise this desire.

He believes that becomes an ASEAN member means Timor-Leste will reach political and security stability, and will have a chance to access capital sources for economic development, stressing that his country is willing to make active contributions to the bloc.

After 14 years of being independent (May 20, 2002), Timor-Leste is still one of the poorest countries worldwide due to the severe impacts from the wars.

Crude oil export is now the main source of revenue for Timor-Leste’s budget. The country’s Government has carried out reforms in many fields, including attracting foreign investment, administrative systems and facilitating business activities, with the aim of diversifying the economy.

Measures have been devised to promote the development of a multi-sector economy, prioritising tourism and agriculture. The Government is also committed to creating more jobs for people.

Timor-Leste has reached several agreements with foreign investors, while travel agencies have also promised to expand their operation. The country’s Ministry of Finance pledged to adjust monetary policy in order to minimise risk when the country joins ASEAN.

In recent years, Timor-Leste has been active in expanding diplomatic ties with regional countries, while working to ensure its political stability and promoting economic growth.

The country’s hosting of the ASEAN People Forum 2016 (APF 2016) in August shows it is nearing the goal of joining ASEAN in 2020.

Talking to reporters from Southeast Asian nations, Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo mentioned Vietnam as an important partner of his country.

Vietnam ranks sixth among 35 countries exporting to Timor-Leste, with export turnover hitting about 34 million USD. The two countries have great potential to boost links in trade, energy, oil and gas, processing, textile and electronics.

Vietnam’s military-run telecommunications group Viettel is operating its subsidiary –Telemor - in Timor-Leste, which makes up 55 percent of the telecom market share in the country.-VNA

VNA

See more

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra listens to a briefing by a team of Israeli rescuers who are part of an international contingent working at the collapsed building site in Bangkok. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand works to restore global trust after Myanmar quake

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra underscored Thailand's commitment to restoring its image and ensuring public confidence, noting that a thorough investigation into the project's approval, design and construction materials is underway.

Thailand speeds up investigation into Bangkok building collapse

Thailand speeds up investigation into Bangkok building collapse

The SAO building, valued at 2.1 billion THB (61.4 million USD), had been under construction for approximately five years and was nearing completion. It was the only building in Bangkok to collapse as a result of the powerful earthquake in Myanmar.

Delegates at the event (Photo: kpl.gov.la)

Laos aims for sustainable infrastructure development

Laos' Enabling Environment Roadmap for Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM EE) outlines strategies for the effective management of public infrastructure, including roads, schools, and hospitals, with a focus on resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia (Photo: scienceexchange.caltech.edu)

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake occurred at 5:15 pm, with its epicenter located 93 km northeast of Indonesia's Maluku Barat Daya district and a hypocenter at a depth of 157 km beneath the seabed. No tsunami warning has been issued.

Rescue forces are racing against time to search for victims of the earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Myanmar earthquake: Devastation’s full extend is not clear

Myanmar's state media quoted military government leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as saying the earthquake death toll had reached 2,065, with more than 3,900 injured and some 270 missing. Aid agencies forecast these numbers will rise significantly due to information blackouts in remote areas.

File - Passengers pass through the automatic immigration checkpoint (auto gate) at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, January 3, 2024. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia operates auto gates at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

According to Johanes Fanny Satria Cahya Aprianto, head of the airport's immigration office, immigration services are fully prepared for the surge in passengers. Currently the office has deployed 531 personnel to ensure smooth and efficient immigration processing at the airport.

Rescuers on March 30 search for missing people after the earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

WHO seeks urgent funding for Myanmar after devastating earthquake

In its flash appeal for funds, the WHO said the high numbers of casualties and trauma injuries are at high risk of infection due to limited surgical capacity in the country, while the underlying conditions in Myanmar meant the quake is likely to intensify the risk of diseases.