The Timorese Prime Minister today thanked the support of ASEAN member states for Timor-Leste’s accession process, commending the organization’s role in consolidating stability, unity and peace In the region.

“As a democratic nation in Southeast Asia, Timor-Leste’s membership in ASEAN is a top priority on our foreign policy agenda. We would like to be part of the ASEAN community, a community united by trust, friendship and cooperation,” Xanana said. Gusmão, during the plenary session that marked the beginning of the 43rd Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in Jakarta.

“For more than half a century, ASEAN has promoted stability, unity and peace in our region. ASEAN has shown the world the power of dialogue and what can be achieved when nations come together around a common peaceful goal,” he said.

Thank you for the decision to host Timor-Leste, in principle, as the 11. Xanana Gusmão, member of ASEAN, recalled the vital role of the organization also in terms of economic strengthening.

“Thanks to ASEAN, Southeast Asia is now a vibrant economic powerhouse that looks to the future with confidence. I would like to thank all ASEAN member countries for their support for Timor- Ready to join ASEAN,” he said.

The Timorese Chief Executive reiterated Timorese commitment to the “principles that underpin ASEAN”, supporting “the central role of ASEAN in promoting peace, security and stability in region for a long time” and in building regional resilience in response to common and emerging challenges. challenges.

“My government is committed to working with ASEAN to implement the roadmap based on goals and benchmarks for all of our members. We understand the challenges ahead,” he said. declared.

Xanana Gusmão is in Jakarta accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi, Minister and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bendito de Freitas and Milena Rangel, respectively, and Minister of Interior, Francisco Guterres.

Gusmão spoke at the summit’s business forum on Monday and is still attending the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum today, with several bilateral meetings scheduled throughout the week.

Today, bilateral meetings will take place between the Timorese leader and his counterparts from Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, and Vietnam, Ph?m Minh Chính.

On Wednesday, several ASEAN meetings are scheduled with China, South Korea, Japan, the United States and Canada, with Xanana Gusmão meeting bilaterally with her counterparts from Laos, Sonexay Siphadon from Australia, Anthony Albanese, from Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong and from Cambodia, Hun Manet.

Thursday’s agenda includes the ASEAN-India, ASEAN-Australia and ASEAN-United Nations summits, as well as the 18th Southeast Asia Summit.

That day, Xanana Gusmão is due to meet the head of New Zealand diplomacy, the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, the Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim and the UN Secretary General, António Guterres.