APD | Philippines takes part in Timor-Leste fact-finding mission

By APD writer Melo M. Acuña

Top-ranking diplomats from the Philippines took part in the ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC) mission arrived in Dili where other envoys conducted a three-day fact-finding mission and related activities last week.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs, quoting reports from the Philippine Embassy in Dili, said the fact-finding mission’s objective was to evaluate and assess the political security situation in Timor-Leste related to their application for ASEAN membership. It will be recalled Timor-Leste submitted its application to join ASEAN eight years ago.

The Philippine delegation was led by Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo and joined by the Philippine Permanent Representative to ASEAN Ambassador Noel Servigon and several other diplomats. The delegation was divided to attend the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Leaders and the Committee of the Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR).

Former Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos Horta (a Nobel Peace Prize co-laureate with Bishop Carlos Ximenez Belo in 1996), Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, National Parliament President Arao Noe de J. da C. Amaral and President Francisco Guterres Lu-olo met separately with SOM leaders to discuss Timor Leste’s willingness to join the 10-memberf ASEAN.

They also talked about Timor-Leste’s projected contribution to ASEAN especially in regional security setting. They also met with former Timor-Leste President Xanana Gusmao and several other top-ranking government officials.

ASEAN will also do assessment of the country’s Economic Community and Socio-Cultural Community Pillars in the near future.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)