DILI, 20 july 2022 (TATOLI) – The ASEAN Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) delegation on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Tuesday 19 july ,began the evaluation of Timor-Leste’s economic pillars to support the country’s accession to ASEAN.
According to the Agenda, the FFM-AEC will conduct a three-day assessment from 19 July to 21 July 2022 with a focus on Timor-Leste’s preparations in the economic field.
“So the respective Ministry and Agencies corresponding for the economy field should collaborate to introduce the economic issues in Timor-Leste and answer to all the questions given by the FFM delegates,” Deputy Minister Antunes told the media after chairing a meeting between the TL leading agencies or economic core team. and ASEAN FFM on AEC at the Ministry of Finance Dili.
During the meeting, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) team was briefed by the government of Timor-Leste on issues related to Timor-Leste’s financial, fiscal, sustainability sectors; minerals and energy sectors, regulations and policies in tourism, trade, industry and the current status of Timor-Leste’s economic development.
This is the last ASEAN FFM-AEC visit, so next year it will begin to focus its discussion on the political field to accelerate Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN.
Speaking during the interview, Antunes said, the eight Constitutional Governments are optimistic that Timor-Leste will become the 11th member of ASEAN.
“The government is optimistic that next year Timor-Leste will become a member of ASEAN because it has completed and fulfilled all the requirements from ASEAN,”
ASEAN membership for the Timorese is viewed as a way to reconcile economic, security, and geopolitical interests, while carving out a regional identity. therefore Timor-Leste’s push for ASEAN membership started in 2011.
Since Timor-Leste’s submitted its application in 2011, some of the preparatory steps have included nationwide programs for ASEAN awareness, the establishment of the ASEAN National Secretariat and Focal Points, capacity building through training and dialogue, participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum and other regional and global meetings, the establishment and strengthening of Timor-Leste’s embassies in all ASEAN countries and support to ensure the readiness of institutions and civil society for ASEAN participation.
Within Government, the introduction and implementation of “ASEAN Blueprints” in national policy development is ensuring that new policies and regulatory frameworks are well aligned and integrated with those of ASEAN.
The document being drafted, known as the Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime, shows the extent to which Timor-Leste already meets ASEAN requirements and sets out the steps that need to be taken to achieve full compliance. This will assist the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN Members to further understand the current status of national frameworks, strongly signaling the readiness of Timor-Leste and further demonstrating the efforts made to date to properly prepare for undertaking the obligations of an ASEAN member.
Journalist: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B
