DILI,18 july 2023 ( TATOLI)– The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MoFAC) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) today conduct the Capacity Building program (CBP) cluster II which focused on ASEAN Agreements on Trade in Goods ( ATIGA) as one of the preparation to become the full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the future.
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Rangel, said the CBP Cluster II is the continuation of CBP Cluster I which had been conducted on February 2023.
“We invite ASEAN Secretariat Technical Mission to facilitate the CBP training focus on the pillar of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) including ATIGA to the officials from the inter-ministerial as one the preparation to become a full member of ASEAN in the future,” the Vice Minister of MoFAC, Milena Rangel told reporters in Timor – Plaza Dili on tuesday.
Vise Minister of MoFAC Rangel, revealed that the purpose of CBP training is to understand Timor – Leste’s progress in the implementation of the roadmap for Timor – Leste’s full membership in ASEAN and the AEC annex; and to discuss issues and challenges on the implementation of the AEC annex.
Rangel, added this CBP also involved the private sector intending to understand key obligations under the ASEAN ATIGA and be ready to implement the ATIGA once accepted as an ASEAN member State and to learn how to participate in ASEAN sectoral body meetings.
The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Augusto Junior Trindade, the CBP compose of four clusters where the first cluster has been done in February and focused on the legal framework and also knowledge of ASEAN in general and today is the continuation of special training of CBP cluster II which focused on the AEC and ATIGA.
He added that the CBP is based on the roadmap of ASEAN’s requirement which had already been submitted to Timor – Leste in Labuan Bajo Indonesia and should be followed by Timor – Leste as one of the preparations for joining the full membership of ASEAN in future.
“Timor – Leste had been admitted to becoming the observer status of ASEAN, therefore all fulfillment of ASEAN ‘s roadmap which consists of basic infrastructure, preparations of human resources, including the legal framework, and the other preparations such as the training of CBP must be done as of the preparedness for accepted to become the full membership of ASEAN in the future,” said Trindade.
At the same place the Ambassador of Indonesia to Timor – Leste, Octo Dorinus Manik, on behalf of the Republic of Indonesia said Indonesia committed to supporting Timor – Leste to become a full member of ASEAN.
“Our commitment never stops to support Timor – Leste through technical support assistance and continue to empower the inter-ministerial officials through the CBP as one of the preparations of Timor – Leste to become a full membership of ASEAN in the future,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the training of CBP cluster II is attended by over 60 participants which come from the officials of inter-ministerial and some of the private sector in Timor – Leste.
The training of CBP cluster II is started from 18 to 20 for three days. This training was facilitated by the experts of the ASEAN Secretariat Technical Mission to Timor – Leste.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
