US, Japan and ROK Ready to Help Timor-Leste Become a Full Member of ASEAN

DILI, www.news-viptv.com – The United States, Japan and Republic of Korea (ROK) are ready to help and support Timor-Leste to become a full member of ASEAN.

This support from the United States, Japan and South Korea was conveyed directly by the Ambassadors of the three countries to the ASEAN office when they met President Jose Ramos-Horta and the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmão, Thursday (20/6/2024).

The United States Ambassador to ASEAN, Yohannes Abraham, said that his party was very committed to ASEAN, and the visit to Timor-Leste was a form of support from the three countries for Timor-Leste towards full ASEAN membership.

“We are all very much committed to ASEAN and its centrality. Our visit included a series of meetings, including this meeting with the President, to discuss how we can support Timor-Leste’s journey to full ASEAN membership,” Ambassador Abraham said.

The ambassadors highlighted their countries’ commitment to Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN and the exploration of new cooperation opportunities. “We are focusing on infrastructure development, education and human capacity building, and economic development while the accession process itself is going,” said Ambassador Abraham.

A similar statement was also made by Kiya Masahiko, the Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN, apart from stating his country’s commitment to support Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN, he also stated that these three countries were also ready to help Timor-Leste’s development in the fields of infrastructure, education and human resource development.

“Happy to meet with the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, to strengthen support especially for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN accession,” said Read Jang-Keun after their meeting with Prime Minister Xanana in Palacio do Governo, Dili.