DILI, 07 july 2022 (TATOLI) – Deputy Minister of Social Affairs, Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI), Signi Verdial Cindrawati informed that the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) delegation from the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Pillar appreciated the efforts made by Timor-Leste to access members of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN).
The ASEAN ASCC appreciation was conveyed during a meeting between FFM-ASCC and a delegation from the Ministry of Solidarity and Social Inclusion (MSSI) to discuss technical preparations for Timor-Leste to join ASEAN.
“FFM – ASCC has held a meeting with the national director level from inter-ministerial to conduct an assessment and evaluation of the questions raised several years ago to be discussed together at the ASEAN Summit,” Deputy Minister MSSI Cindrawati told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation office, Dili.
Timor-Leste needs to be adapted to the laws of ASEAN that must be achieved by countries wishing to join ASEAN, including the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers; The United Nations Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers and their families, The Manpower Law no 4/2012 articles 77, no 1& 2, Approved the Migration Law No 11/2017, The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, established the National Commission on Trafficking in Persons and the law other laws in Timor – Leste.
“Timor-Leste has fulfilled many of these requirements from ASEAN, therefore the FFM-ASCC delegation will present Timor-Leste’s achievements at the ASEAN Summit to be considered for accession to ASEAN,” She said.
According to Candrawati, during the meeting, the FFM-ASCC delegation also called on Timor-Leste to prepare human resources to fill all ASEAN program activities because every year more than 1000 meetings are held at the ASEAN level.
At the same place, Director General of ASEAN, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Maria da Costa Rangel said, “The delegation of the Fact-Finding Mission appreciates Timor-Leste’s efforts to answer all the questions raised by the FFM-ASCC and will be discussed further at the ASEAN Summit for consideration.
Rangel added that during the meeting, the FFM-ASCC appealed to Timor-Leste to prepare a road map in adjusting the ASEAN agenda setting so that Timor-Leste can participate effectively in the ASEAN agenda prior to accession.
During three days in Timor – Leste Fact-Finding Mission – ASCC made field visits to the offices of the Ministry of Parliament and Social Communications, Timor-Leste National Radio and Television (RTTL), GMN TV, State Secretariat of the Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, National Agency Civil Protection, Ministry of Home Affairs, Bemori Emergency Operation System, Timor Residence Archives, National Social Security Institute, Centro Nasional de Rehabilitation, FOKUPERS, (Safe Housing for Female Victims, Sister Alma, Jesuit Taibeisi, Alola Foundation, Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, National University of Timor – Leste, Dili Institute of Technology, Xanana Sports Centre, GMT, UNDP Center Buka Hatene, National Timor – Leste School Santo Inacio Loiola Kasait, Likisa, Timor – Leste International School – TAIS, Ministry of Health, Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV), Doctor Antonio Carvalho Hospital, SEFOPE, INDIMO, SAMES, and TVE.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B
Editor : Nelia Borges
