DILI, 25 May 2025 (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in policy research and capacity building—marking another step forward as Timor-Leste advances toward full ASEAN membership.
The MoU was signed on 25 May 2025 in Kuala Lumpur by Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and ERIA’s President, Tetsuya Watanabe, on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit.
The MoU establishes a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing Timor-Leste’s capacity to develop sound, evidence-based policies aligned with national development goals and ASEAN integration, particularly in the areas of trade, energy transition, digital transformation, and sustainable growth.
The signing ceremony was also attended by the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs and SOM Leader, Milena Rangel; Vice Minister of Commerce and Industry and Indicative SEOM Lead, Mr. Augusto Junior Trindade; as well as senior officials from ERIA.
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