DILI, 05 March 2025 (TATOLI) – The Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs and SOM Leader of Timor-Leste, Milena Rangel attended the 40th ASEAN-Japan Forum on 5 March 2025 in Karuizawa, Japan.
The ASEAN-Japan Forum is an annual meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials Leaders and Japan’s Senior Official Leader to discuss ways to strengthen the ASEAN-Japan Dialogue partnership.
In her intervention, Rangel highlighted Timor-Leste’s commitment to ASEAN-Japan cooperation, emphasizing on the shared priorities in peace and stability, economic collaboration, and people-to-people ties.
Rangel underscored that Timor-Leste’s unique experiences and perspectives would enrich ASEAN’s collective efforts and took the opportunity to convey Timor-Leste’s appreciation to ASEAN Member States and Japan for their continued friendship and support.
Last month, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that Timor-Leste could join ASEAN as a full member at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
In 2022, ASEAN agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste as the group’s 11th member.
Timor-Leste began its bid for ASEAN membership in 2011, nine years after its independence in 2002.
TATOLI
