Kuala Lumpur, July 14, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Rangel, along with their delegation, held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Papua New Guinea (PNG), Justin Wayne Tkatchenko, to share experiences regarding the process of becoming a member of ASEAN. This meeting took place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting held from July 8 to 11 this week. The information was accessed by Média Democracia via WhatsApp from the Media Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEK).
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, stated that during the meeting, Papua New Guinea (PNG) expressed its strong interest in progressing toward ASEAN accession, which is currently underway. PNG emphasized its long-standing aspiration to join ASEAN and its desire to learn from the experiences and strategies of other aspiring countries, particularly Timor-Leste, in navigating the accession process.
“The issue discussed was that Indonesia, as a member state of ASEAN, has already proposed for PNG to also become a member of ASEAN. PNG’s aspiration to become a member of ASEAN began as early as 1976, before us, but they have not yet joined,” said Timor-Leste’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas.
He further explained that Indonesia, as an ASEAN member state, had proposed Papua New Guinea’s candidacy for ASEAN membership.
On this occasion, Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Rangel, explained and shared Timor-Leste’s experience from a technical perspective in accordance with ASEAN requirements.
Furthermore, Minister Bendito Freitas expressed Timor-Leste’s readiness and willingness to share experience with Papua New Guinea regarding all technical preparations needed to formalize official status as an ASEAN member.
“That’s why we say, our doors are open for you to come in. You may also visit our country to share experiences regarding the technical preparations needed before fulfilling all the requirements to formalize official membership status in ASEAN,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste.
Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen closer relations and agreed to conduct future exchange visits to deepen collaboration and mutual understanding between the two nations.
Report: Domingas
Photo: Media Officer MNEK