DILI, 20 february 2026 (TATOLI) – The Council of Ministers has approved a series of measures aimed at strengthening Timor-Leste’s integration into ASEAN, including revised commitments under regional mobility and trade agreements and the designation of national spaces at the bloc’s headquarters in Jakarta.
At the proposal of Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, the Council of Ministers approved a draft National Parliament resolution to amend the Framework of Commitments annexed to National Parliament Resolution No. 46/2025, which approved Timor-Leste’s accession to the ASEAN Agreement on the Movement of Natural Persons (MNP).
“This initiative aims to replace the Annex relating to the Schedule of Commitments (SoC) under the MNP Agreement to ensure formal compliance with the common model adopted by ASEAN for all Member States,” the statement said. “The proposed amendment is solely the result of a technical reformatting exercise and does not change the substance, level, or scope of the commitments made by Timor-Leste.”
The restructuring of the Commitment Framework was requested following ASEAN’s adoption of a harmonised model, and the revised document was accepted and endorsed in December 2025.
“With the approval of this Draft Resolution of the National Parliament, the formal conditions necessary for the deposit of Timor-Leste’s Instrument of Accession to the ASEAN Agreement on the Movement of Natural Persons are met, reinforcing the process of national integration into the organisation’s mechanisms,” the Government said.
The Council of Ministers also approved the Final Review of Timor-Leste’s Commitment Schedule under the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), fulfilling requirements for full participation in the agreement and the obligations of the ASEAN Economic Community.
“The revision now approved focuses on the Final Market Access Offer presented by Timor-Leste following negotiations with ASEAN Member States,” the statement said. “This framework aims to balance regional integration with the safeguarding of national strategic and economic interests, promoting sustainable growth and competitiveness in the country’s productive and service sectors.”
In addition, the Council of Ministers approved the designation of the names “Ataúro,” “Ramelau,” and “Oe-cússe” for the spaces allocated to Timor-Leste at the ASEAN headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, reinforcing national identity within the regional organisation.
The decisions mark further steps in aligning Timor-Leste’s legal and economic frameworks with ASEAN standards following its accession to the bloc in 2025.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
