DILI, 03 may 2024 (TATOLI) – The Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs and Timor-Leste’s SOM Leader, Milena Rangel, participated in the 20th ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials’ Meeting (ARSOM) held at the Miriinsky Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia on 26 april 2024.
The 20th ARSOM focused its discussion on recent developments in ASEAN and the Russian Federation as well as review of ASEAN-Russia cooperation, including the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan of Action 2021-2025 and continue to discussed on the future direction of ASEAN-Russia cooperation.
During the opportunity to deliver her general statement, Vice Minister Rangel commended the progress made in the implementation of cooperation projects between ASEAN and Russia and the CPA 2021-2025.
She also expressed appreciation for the unwavering support from all the ASEAN member states and ASEAN partners in the preparation for full membership in ASEAN and reiterated Timor-Leste’s commitment to continue to work together with ASEAN and its partners in this endeavor.
Rangel also conveyed the desire to positively contribute to the cooperation between ASEAN and the Russian Federation in the future.
As part of the program of activities of the 20th ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials’ Meeting (ARSOM), Minister Rangel joined other ASEAN SOM Leaders in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mother-Motherland Monument (Piskariovskoye Memorial Cemetery) in St. Petersburg. At the ceremony, Evgeny Grigoriev – Member of the Government of Saint Petersburg, Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg accompanied the ASEAN delegation.
The sobering Piskariovskoye Cemetery is a poignant reminder of the scale of the tragedy the city lived through during the Second World War (the 900-day Siege of Leningrad).
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
