DILI, September 12, 2020 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in the XXVII videoconference meeting of the Regional Forum of Ministers of ASEAN, about conflict prevention and the pandemic of the new coronavirus.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adaljiza Magno express her gratitude to the Republic of Vietnam for presiding the important meeting of ASEAN in the context of the pandemic and security tensions in the South China Sea.
“Timor-Leste appreciates the 2020 presidency of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for its proposal for urgent measures that seek to maintain the dialogue and cooperation of the ASEAN Regional Forum,” Minister Magno said at the videoconference meeting.
According to Ms. Magno , Timor-Leste’s views on current issues are consistently illuminated by the values and principles of the ASEAN Regional Forum, which have proved relevant to respond to political and security challenges and efforts in the region, contributing to confidence-building efforts and preventive diplomacy in the region.
“We encourage all parties involved in the negotiations to conclude the South China Sea issue. We call for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and will soon reach an effective and specific code of conduct in the South China Sea,” she added.
She added, Timor-Leste also shares the organization’s perspectives on the economic and social impacts linked to the covid 19 pandemic on the lives of people around the world and in the region.
“Timor-Leste has suffered the consequences of this global pandemic, but has managed to contain it effectively through a collective, decisive and timely response strategy to prevent a covid-19 outbreak,” she concluded.
The meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers of Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, Thailand, Timor-Leste Myanmar, but also china, South Korea, the United States of America, Canada, Japan and Russia.
Journalist: Domingos Piedade Freitas
Publisher: Zezito Silva
