DILI, 20 june 2023 ( TATOLI)- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MoFAC) and the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs ( MCAE) with support from Australia’s flagship governance program PROSIVU (Partnership Inclusive Prosperity today conduct the three-day workshop on the three ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) core trade agreement and the implication for Timor – Leste.
These agreements are ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement ( ATIGA), ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA), and ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA).
The General Director of ASEAN Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Milena Rangel said the workshop is conducted to invite the related inter – ministerial ‘s vocal points to attend ATIGA, ATISA, and ACIA as one of the preparation of Timor – Leste in accession the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) in the future.
” The workshop will help Timor – Leste Government officials understand the thee AEC core trade agreements, the scope, the structure, key implication, and the implication of the commitments therein for the country to become a full ASEAN member,” the General Director of ASEAN Affairs of MoFAC Timor – Leste, Milena Rangel told reporters in City 8 Dili on tuesday.
Rangel added that Timor Leste was admitted in principle to ASEAN and accorded observer status at the 40th and 41st Summit in November 2022.
At the 42nd ASEAN Summit on 10th may 2023 a Roadmap for Timor – Leste’s accession to the regional block was agreed upon by ASEAN, providing a set of criteria and milestones for Timor – Leste to achieve in order to become a full member of ASEAN.
“Thus ATIGA, ATISA, and ACIA are part of requirements outlined in the Roadmap and are key ASEAN agreements that, if successfully implemented, will facilitate Timor – Leste s greater participation in International trade and global value chain,” she said.
Likewise, Domingos Antunes Lopes, The Vice Minister of MCAE revealed this workshop is facilitated by the Australian Government with support from AUSTRALLIA ‘s PROSIVU Program, as one of the preparations of Timor – Leste’s accession based on the ASEAN Roadmap: “Hopefully this workshop will benefit for Timor – Leste ‘s official,”
” I thanked the Government of Australia with support from Australia ‘s PROSIVU program, on behalf of the Government, through the presentations from legal experts from Lexbrige Lawyers Pty Richard Braddock and Mark Jennings on their presentation of ATIGA, ATISA, and ACIA, hopefully, this presentation will guide Timor – Leste ‘ s preparation to become the full member of ASEAN in the future,” he said.
At the same place the Charge d’ Affaires, of the Australian Embassy in Timor – Leste Caitlin Wilson, said Timor-Leste in its efforts to date towards joining the ASEAN Community, it is pleasing to see a government and its people so united behind what is truly a national goal; Likewise, Timor-Leste’s progress on World Trade Organization has also been inspiring.
“These efforts lay the foundations for Timor-Leste to access new opportunities within the global economy. ASEAN is a key partner for Australia. Through PROSIVU, to be supporting Timor-Leste’s ASEAN accession journey. ASEAN membership carries with it great potential for Timor-Leste both politically and economically. Therefore I wish you all a successful workshop over the next three days and look forward to walking alongside Timor-Leste on its ASEAN journey,” she concludes.
TATOLI
