Dili, 31 January 2025– Deputy Ombudsman for Good Governance, Rigoberto Monteiro, participated in a technical working group meeting focused on Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN. The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEK) and was opened by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Milena Rangel, who highlighted the significant changes anticipated in the accession process from 2023 to 2025.
During the meeting, the Deputy Minister noted that Timor-Leste’s participation in ASEAN meetings has improved, achieving an impressive 86% engagement in three key pillars. The new guidelines allow Timor-Leste to provide input on agenda items, enhancing its role within the regional organization. The MNEC secretariat also presented progress on the roadmap criteria, including the ASEAN Charter and related legal instruments necessary for full membership.
The Inter-ministerial Technical Working Group meeting emphasized the importance of coordination among various ministries and agencies to ensure efficient implementation of the roadmap for Timor-Leste’s full membership in ASEAN. The gathering included representatives from sectors addressing political and security, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of the ASEAN framework.
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