Timor-Leste reaffirms readiness for ASEAN membership
Timor-Leste has reiterated its readiness to become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) while working with the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Fact-Finding Mission to the country.
The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Fact-Finding Mission to Timor-Leste (Photo: asean.org)
Jakarta (VNA) – Timor-Leste has reiterated itsreadiness to become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) while working with the ASEANSocio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Fact-Finding Mission to the country.
The fact-finding trip took place on July 6-8 under theleadership of the Senior Officials Committee for the ASCC (SOCA) chaired by Dr.Dy Khamboly from Cambodia. The delegation comprised of officials from the SOCA,ASCC sectoral bodies, Permanent Missions of Member States to ASEAN, and theASEAN Secretariat.
Through visits and interfaces with various ministries andagencies, the mission provided first-hand information and showcasedTimor-Leste’s programmes on health; education and vocational training;employment; environment and forestry; early warning systems; social servicesand social welfare for vulnerable groups; rehabilitation of women and childvictims of violence; information and communications, among others.
At the last meeting in Timor-Leste, ASEAN delegates commended thenation’s progress in socio-cultural development and welcomed its participationin the bloc’s non-policy making activities for capacity building purposes.
This was the second of the three fact finding missions. Previously,the ASEAN Political-Security Community fact-finding mission took place from 3-6September 2019. The ASEAN Economic Community is planning to conduct its missionlater in July this year.
With this mission completed, the ASCC Assessment Report willbe prepared for SOCA’s consideration and subsequent submission to ASEANCoordinating Council./.
Vietnam and ASEAN member countries would continuously support and share experience with Timor Leste in preparations for its admission to the bloc, as well as assessing the country’s capability and readiness.
The 11th meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group on Timor-Leste’s Application for ASEAN Membership was held on July 29 via teleconference.
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The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Fact-Finding Mission to Timor-Leste (Photo: asean.org) 
