DILI, 03 august 2022 (TATOLI) – The government of Singapore expressed its steadfast commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s bid for ASEAN membership.
The Singaporean Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan made the comments in a bilateral meeting with his Timor-Leste’s counterpart, Adaljiza Magno, on the sideline of the 29th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), in Cambodia.
During the meeting, Minister Balakrishnan reiterated Singapore’s support for Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN: “Singapore remains committed to supporting Timor-Leste in terms of capacity building and training to strengthen Timor-Leste’s human resources development.”
On the occasion, Minister Magno informed Minister Balakrishnan regarding the State visit plan of the President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta to Singapore, next month.
“I take this opportunity to express the intention of the President of the Republic of Timor-Leste to visit Singapore in the second week of september, this year,” Magno said in a statement released on wednesday.
The bilateral meeting was accompanied by the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Hermenegildo Kupa Lopes, the Director-General for ASEAN, Milena Rangel, National Director for ASEAN Political-Security Pillar, Elisa da Silva, National Director for ASEAN Economic Pillar, Aleixo Gusmão and Advisor for Minister, Carlos de Araujo.
Apart from ARF, Minister Magno will also participate in the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) in Phnom Penh.
The aim of the meeting is to promote constructive dialogue among ASEAN member States in order to put all efforts together to strengthen peace and security for the common good of Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific.
Minister Magno will talk about the political and security situation in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Magno and her team had departed for Combadia on friday (29/07), and were expected to attend the meeting today.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
