Manalo reiterates PH support for Timor Leste's ASEAN membership
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo on Friday reiterated the Philippines' support for Timor Leste to become part of the 10-bloc Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Manalo echoed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s earlier backing of Timor Leste’s ASEAN membership as he met his counterpart, Adaljiza Magno, in Indonesia.
Timor Leste is the remaining Southeast Asian country that is not yet part of the regional bloc. During the 30th and 31st ASEAN Summits in Cambodia last year, ASEAN members granted the small island nation an observer status before officially becoming part of the bloc.
In meeting Magno, which happened at the sidelines of Foreign Ministers Meeting, Manalo discussed how the Philippines can further its bilateral relations with Timor Lester and explore opportunities for cooperation.
“ I, along with the other Foreign Ministers of ASEAN, welcomed Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister as she made history with Timor-Leste's attendance at the 32nd ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, as an observer,” Manalo said in Twitter post.
“Iconveyed the Philippines’ full support in facilitating Timor-Leste’s full ASEAN membership and welcomed Indonesia’s initiatives as Chair of ASEAN this year under the theme, ‘ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,’” he added.