Latest news with #BenditodosSantosFreitas
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Timor-Leste Eyes Full ASEAN Membership By Year-end, Citing Strong Regional Support
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Timor-Leste is optimistic about securing full membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by the end of this year, with October being a possible milestone. Its Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, expressing confidence in the process, said the country has made significant progress in meeting the required criteria. 'We hope to conclude the process by year-end, possibly October, as there is broad support from ASEAN member states. 'We have done our best and fulfilled most of the necessary requirements. Of course, there are still one or two or three (remaining requirements); we will do it (we are working hard to fulfil them),' he told reporters during a doorstep interview before attending the 14th ASEAN-AIPA (ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly) Leaders' Interface, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit today. Timor-Leste, which first applied for ASEAN membership in 2011, was granted observer status at high-level meetings in 2022. However, its full integration is still under evaluation. Timor Leste's Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, said yesterday that joining ASEAN is not just about economic gains but also about amplifying Timor-Leste's voice on the regional stage. 'Full membership is vital for the small nation of 1.4 million people, not only for economic benefits but also highlighted the country's strategic position between Indonesia and Australia, aligning with ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.' -- BERNAMA
Barnama
25-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Timor-Leste's Accession To ASEAN Crucial For Economic Advantage, Stronger Voice
Timor-Leste foreign minister, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, addresses a press conference held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED By Vikneswaran Raman KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- The accession of Timor-Leste as a full ASEAN member is vital not merely for economic advantage but also for a stronger voice in diplomacy, according to the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas. In this regard, he is optimistic about gaining full membership status by end of this year during Malaysia's chairmanship, after being granted observer status three years ago. Freitas said the 46th ASEAN Summit taking place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre could gradually open the door for the Portuguese and Tetum-speaking nation to achieve ASEAN membership. 'We've done our best through institutional coordination activities, in addition to working with ASEAN member states and participating in capacity-building programmes. These efforts are crucial for fulfilling the roadmap adopted at the 43rd Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. 'I truly appreciate and commend Malaysia's chairmanship, which is very important and supportive of our efforts. We believe and are confident that this summit can, at the very least, slowly open the door (for us) to be a full member of ASEAN,' he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit here today. He added that Timor-Leste has also established a dedicated unit within the ASEAN Secretariat, with support from all ASEAN member states, particularly Malaysia, to advance its membership aspirations. Freitas said full membership is crucial for the small nation of 1.4 million people, not only for economic benefits but also due to its strategic location between Indonesia and Australia within the framework of ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. 'As part of the ASEAN family, we can both contribute to and benefit from support in areas such as diplomacy, politics, regional cooperation and multilateral engagement.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia, Timor-Leste hold bilateral talks on Asean integration, regional cooperation
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 - Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, together with his counterparts from all ASEAN member states, as well as Timor-Leste and the ASEAN Secretary-General, attends the 29th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) today. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan held a bilateral meeting with his Timor-Leste counterpart, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, on the sidelines of the 46th Asean Summit here. The meeting represents a significant step forward in strengthening engagement between Malaysia and Timor-Leste, consistent with Asean's vision of fostering a more inclusive and cohesive regional community. It is understood that the discussions centred on enhancing bilateral relations and reaffirming Malaysia's continued support for Timor-Leste's aspiration to attain full Asean membership. Both ministers also explored potential areas of cooperation, particularly in education, capacity building, and regional connectivity. The 46th Asean Summit is being convened under Malaysia's 2025 Chairmanship theme, "Inclusivity and Sustainability.' This year marks Malaysia's fifth term as Asean Chair, following previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. In conjunction with the summit, two pivotal high-level engagements - the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit - will be convened, serving as strategic platforms to advance regional and inter-regional cooperation.- Bernama
