President Ramos-Horta Highlights Timor-Leste’s Remarkable Progress and Reaffirms Commitment to ASEAN
DILI, 08 August 2025 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, J. Ramos-Horta, expressed profound gratitude to the leaders and Member States of ASEAN for the warm welcome of Timor-Leste into the regional family. Before a distinguished audience of national and international dignitaries, the Head of State recalled ASEAN’s journey from its founding in the midst of the Cold War era to its current status as a “sea of prosperity.”
The Head of State highlighted the “people-centered” philosophy that guides the regional bloc and underlined the “deep sense of responsibility” with which Timor-Leste prepares to take its place as a full member, ready to contribute to peace and stability in the region.
The President recalled the country’s extraordinary development trajectory since the restoration of independence in 2002, contrasting past struggles with current achievements. Among the most significant advances, he mentioned the increase in the number of medical doctors from just 21 to over 1,400 and the expansion of the electricity grid, which now covers nearly the entire national territory.
The Head of State also emphasized the progress in higher education, with thousands of Timorese now graduating from universities at home and abroad. He attributed this transformation to the successful policy of national reconciliation, which has allowed historical wounds to heal and established a solid foundation of peace and stability, essential for development.
Humbly, the President acknowledged that Timor-Leste remains a “work in progress” on the economic front. However, he reaffirmed that the country joins ASEAN with a firm commitment to promoting peace, prosperity, and the well-being of its people and the entire region.
Ramos-Horta recalled that Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN is the fruit of a collective vision and the continuous support of the regional community, in a process that began with the country’s formal application in 2011.
Concluding on a warm and personal note, the Head of State congratulated the organization: “Happy Birthday, ASEAN,” marking the beginning of a new and promising chapter in Timor-Leste’s regional engagement.
TATOLI
