Cambodian Totally Support Timor-Leste´s Accession to ASEAN

PHNOM PENH, www.news-viptv.com – President of Republic, José Ramos-Horta had a courtesy meeting with President of Senate, Say Chhun, President of National Assembly, Heng Samrin and Prime Minister, Hun Sen to talk about the strengthening of bilateral relations between Timor-Leste and Cambodia.

The meetings with high entities of Cambodian Royal Kingdom represent Cambodia’s readiness to support Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN.

“Prime Minister, Hun Sen really admires Timor-Leste, and he strongly supports Timor-Leste, because their history is almost like ours, therefore he strongly supports Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN. There is no other matter, the matter raised with President of National Assembly, the Senate is the same one raised with Prime Minister and other ministerial entities,” the Head of State informed.

According to President of Republic, the process of joining ASEAN has not been concluded because leaders of ASEAN have not announced the calendar even though Timor-Leste wants to join the organization next year.

“However, it will follow the road map which ASEAN leadership have the consensus, if it is decided and if it is announced, we have prepared for the next 10 years, and the preparation has not been fully concluded, and according to the plan of the Government, there will be a recruitment of 2,000 Timorese, but Timorese who have studies and qualifications in English, and good university studies to work in all sectors, so that it can really prove and energize our participation in ASEAN,“ the Head of State argued.

For President of Republic, the participation of Timor-Leste in ASEAN is very important because it will take part in the decision making for strategic options in energizing regional economic and commerce, and others.

After the meeting with Prime Minister, Hun Sen, President of Republic also became the witness of the signing of the agreement between the Government of Timor-Leste and the Government of Cambodia, which was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Magno on air service, by developing the air connectivity between Timor-Leste and Cambodia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Magno also signed the agreement with Cambodia on the exportation of rice to Timor-Leste.