DILI, 12 october 2023 (TATOLI) – The Council of Ministers, on wednesday, approved the signing of the agreements between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the ASEAN member States for Visit Visa Exemption.
The proposal was presented by Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, Deputy Minister for ASEAN Affairs. With the approval of the proposal, Timor-Leste will soon begin negotiations with ASEAN countries to sign the visa exemption agreements.
These agreements, to be signed with each of the ASEAN member states, will allow Timorese citizens and these countries, when traveling to the territory of the other signatory state, to benefit from visa exemption for a maximum period of 30 days for tourism purposes.
Minister Rangel said that Timor-Leste would soon be negotiating with each ASEAN member state to materialize the signing of the agreements.
Signing the visa exemption agreement with each ASEAN member state is part of the roadmap criteria for Timor-Leste’s accession to the bloc.
This new regime would allow Timorese citizens who travel to the ASEAN and citizens from ASEAN who travel to Timor-Leste, to stay for periods not exceeding 30 days, every month.
The approval of the signing of the visa exemption agreements expressed Timor-Leste’s commitment to achieving its dream of becoming the 11th member of ASEAN by 2025.
This initiative would open up the opportunity for Timor-Leste to strengthen its cooperation with ASEAN countries, not only at the government level but also between people.
According to the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Visa Exemption, ASEAN Member States desire to maintain, strengthen, and further develop the friendship and cooperation in ASEAM, facilitate Intra-ASEAN travel, provide visa exemption for intra-ASEAN travel by ASEAN nationals, and provide general principles and guidelines in establishing and/or renewing bilateral agreement among member countries on visa exemption for their respective citizens traveling within the ASEAN region.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Filomeno Martins
