Timor-Leste Delivers Letter to Myanmar as Part of ASEAN Accession Process

DILI, 11 July 2025 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste has officially delivered a letter to the Government of Myanmar in relation to its ongoing bid to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The letter was delivered by Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Lisualdo Gaspar, to Aung Kyaw Moe, the Permanent Secretary of Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The handover took place on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Malaysia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito Freitas, confirmed the submission was made in response to a formal request from the Myanmar authorities, within the framework of Timor-Leste’s ASEAN integration process. He said, however, that the contents of the letter remain confidential until an official response is received.

“Today, we send the letter, as requested by Myanmar’s authorities, through our Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. The content was prepared in coordination with the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira. At this stage, we cannot disclose further details, as we are awaiting Myanmar’s response,” Minister Freitas said in a statement.

He added that the letter reaffirms Timor-Leste’s commitment to core values, including democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

“The letter underscores our firm adherence to the principles that guide our foreign policy — justice, democracy, and human rights — and reiterates our position regarding ASEAN membership,” he concluded.

Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins