DILI, 28 July 2025 (TATOLI) – Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão has called for immediate and coordinated efforts from all ministries and institutions to ensure Timor-Leste completes the final steps needed to become a full member of ASEAN by October.
Speaking at the second Interministerial Coordination Meeting on ASEAN Accession in Dili, Xanana stressed the urgency of the situation, with only two months remaining before the country is expected to officially join as ASEAN’s 11th member.
He urged ministries responsible for trade, investment, and other key sectors to speed up all pending negotiations and procedures, warning against further delays.
“We can no longer drag this process on. It’s time to prove that we’ve done our part,” he said.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the leadership role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in overseeing inter-ministerial coordination and submitting all required documents and responses.
“This is a national responsibility. Everyone must contribute to achieving this historic goal,” he added.
Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas said Timor-Leste has made significant progress in meeting legal and technical requirements, but the momentum must continue until the process is complete.
“We’ve advanced well in meeting ASEAN’s legal and procedural commitments,” Freitas said. “Our progress across ASEAN’s three pillars— the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)—is clear, along with the operationalization of Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Secretariat Unit.”
He noted that the country’s entry into ASEAN comes amid a “more complex geopolitical context” and reaffirmed ASEAN’s role in promoting regional stability.
Freitas also announced that Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Rangel, will soon provide an update on key legal documents and visa waiver agreements with ASEAN member states, which are crucial for enabling the movement of Timorese citizens, businesspeople, and diplomats.
Timor-Leste is currently working on joining ASEAN’s core trade and investment agreements. These include the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA), and the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA).
ATIGA aims to boost the free flow of goods by reducing tariffs and trade barriers across ASEAN countries.
ATISA focuses on liberalising services and creating a business-friendly environment for investment and cooperation in the region.
Meanwhile, ACIA seeks to attract foreign investment by providing a stable and predictable legal framework for investors.
TATOLI
