DILI, 18 may 2022 (TATOLI) – Mohd Maliki Osman, the Singaporean Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, the Second Minister for Education, and the Second Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s bid for ASEAN membership.
Osman made the comments after meeting the newly elected President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, at Horta’s Noble Prize Cabinet, in Farol, Dili, on wednesday.
“We are supportive of Timor-Leste’s bid for ASEAN membership and we continue to support Timor-Leste in its technical preparation and build the capabilities for Timor-Leste to become a member of ASEAN,” Minister Osman said.
He stressed that Singapore and Timor-Leste have a very strong relationship: “We spoke about the strong bilateral relationship and how we can bring that relationship forward.”
During the meeting, Osman and Horta also talked about technical cooperation to support Timor-Leste’s development.
Osman expressed his contentment to participate in the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony and the 20th Anniversary of the Restoration Independence Day: “I am very happy to meet the President-Elect José Ramos Horta.
“We are happy to be here to be part of the very historical event of the inauguration of President José Ramos Horta tomorrow, as well as the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the restoration of the independence of Timor-Leste,” said Osman. “We look forward to working with President José Ramos Horta after he is taken office in the near future.’
Timor-Leste officially applied for membership in ASEAN on march 4, 2011. After elections in 2012, the new government reaffirmed its commitment to joining the association.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a political and economic union of ten member states in Southeast Asia, which promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration between its members and other countries in Asia.
Timor-Leste is currently working on its preparation to fulfill all the criteria to be the new member of ASEAN.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
