DILI, 03 february 2023 (TATOLI) – Ambassador of Germany to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Ina Lepel said that Germany fully supports Timor-Leste’s applications for ASEAN membership.
The Ambassador made the comments after meeting with the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, at the Presidential Palace, today.
During the meeting, Ambassador Ina and the Head of State discussed many things related to Timor-Leste’s application for ASEAN membership.
“We discussed bilateral relations between our two countries and also about the development of Timor-Leste, especially Timor-Leste’s bid for ASEAN membership which, of course, Germany fully supports,” Ina said.
At the meeting, President Horta also shared with Ambassador Ina a lot of information about Timor-Leste’s efforts in trying to join ASEAN within 2023 or next year.
“So I received a lot of very interesting new information about Timor-Leste’s application for full membership in ASEAN. And I wish Timor-Leste the best success in this endeavor,” Ina said.
Ina stressed that education and capacity building, as well as connectivity and the Internet, are important for Timor-Leste when it becomes one of ASEAN’s full members.
“Right now, we are focusing on helping Timor-Leste in education and capacity building,” Ina concluded.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges