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PH commits to Timor Leste's accession process to ASEAN

Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro (seventh from left) represented the Philippines at the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting in preparation for the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. PHOTO: DFA USEC. THERESA LAZARO KUALA LUMPUR - The Philippines will continue to back Timor Leste's bid in joining the ASEAN, a senior official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. 'We also committed to supporting Timor-Leste's accession process and contributing to ASEAN Community Vision 2045 implementation,' DFA Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said. President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has since expressed support for Timor Leste's full membership in the regional bloc. Timor Leste, also known as East Timor, gained its independence from Indonesia on May 20, 2002. East Timor was previously a colony of Portugal for centuries until November 1975. Lazaro, who is set to replace DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, represented the Philippines at the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting in preparation for the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. 'We discussed the importance of strengthening ASEAN centrality while expanding strategic partnerships,' she said. During the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, Malaysia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan said ASEAN centrality is the compass 'as we engage the world, and navigate the complexities of our external relations.' 'We must remain the driver of our regional architecture. Only ASEAN speaks for Southeast Asia,' he said. He also pointed out that as the world becomes polarized, ASEAN must offer a different path. 'We must continue to promote a model grounded in dialogue, cooperation and multilateralism,' Hasan said. Malaysia is this year's host of this year's ASEAN Summit, with the theme, 'Inclusivity and Sustainability.' —RF, GMA Integrated News