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Australia announced U$ 2 million additional fund to support TL’s accession to ASEAN and WTO

Australia announced U$ 2 million additional fund to support TL’s accession to ASEAN and WTO

Australia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong (Photo Tatoli/Francisco Sony)

DILI, 07 july 2023 (TATOLI)– The Government of Australia announced that it will allocate an additional fund of US$ 2 million to support the government of Timor-Leste in joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The support was announced by Australian Foreign Affairs Miniter, Penny Wong at the Press Conference held in the Office of Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste, Dili july 06, 2023.

Minister Wong, stated that the Australian government is committed to supporting Timor – Leste’s participation in the regional and multilateral organization since Australia recalled the diplomat 40 years ago of ASEAN’s first dialogue partner.

“I announced that we are so committed to supporting you to build your capacity, including helping your biosecurity and statistics agencies to enhance their capabilities a key step in meeting ASEAN’s accession requirements. And it’s we are increasing our package of support for Timor- Leste’s accession to ASEAN and the WTO, by a further $2 million-bringing the total to $8.6 million,” said Wong in a press conference at the Foreign Minister office. 

Minister Wong also underscored that Australia has been one of the strongest advocates of Timor -Leste joining ASEAN and warmly welcomed the major decision by ASEAN leaders to reorganize Timor – Leste as its 11th member as an observer status.

“ASEAN is very crucial to Timor – Leste, that Organization is at the heart of defining the future of this changing region, it’s a hub for regional peace and stability. The country’s adherence to the organization will reinforce this centrality,” she noted.

The diplomat said that the Australian government paid attention to the argument of the Prime Minister of Timor- Leste Xanana Gusmao, given on the sidelines of the speech at the inauguration ceremony earlier this month that Timor – Leste has a lot of work to do to meet the technical requirements for the ASEAN membership.

Precisely in line with that thought Penny Wong, said that Australia is strongly committed to supporting Timor – Leste in the development of some institutional capabilities considered prerequisites for joining ASEAN namely helping its biosecurity and statistics agency.

“Australia and Timor – Leste are close neighbors, friends, and partners. These deep ties from the foundation on which we can build the future together and were equal stakeholders in an open, stable, and prosperous region,” she concluded.

Likewise, Timor – Leste will allocate US$ 4.1 million per year for ASEAN’s common interest when Timor – Leste becomes the permanent member of ASEAN.

Related News:https://en.tatoli.tl/2023/07/07/penny-wong-expresses-australias-commitment-to-supporting-tls-economic-development/14/

 

Journalist : Camilio de Sousa 

Editor: Nelia Borges

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