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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider As ASEAN member, Timor-Leste will strengthen regional dev't, says DFA chief

As ASEAN member, Timor-Leste will strengthen regional dev't, says DFA chief

Published Oct 22, 2025 02:53 pm
Timor-Leste Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas and DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro hold a joint press conference after their bilateral meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Raymund Antonio/MANILA BULLETIN)
Timor-Leste Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas and DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro hold a joint press conference after their bilateral meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Raymund Antonio/MANILA BULLETIN)
Committing to provide “capacity building assistance” to Timor-Leste, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro underscored how the country’s full membership to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will strengthen regional development.
“First of all, I thank Timor Leste’s inclusion. As a member of ASEAN, it now strengthens regional development, and this will be really very good for the whole Southeast Asian region,” the secretary said during a joint press conference with Timor-Leste Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas.
The two foreign ministers held a bilateral meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
“As far as the assistance that we can give, we are currently providing the technical cooperation,” she added.
The capacity building assistance will be coursed through the DFA’s Foreign Service Institute, although Lazaro said that the assistance will continue through the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines.
Noting that the “first request” was on the livestock and fisheries sector, the DFA chief also assured that the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines is ready “to assist in the capacity building of the capacity of the requirements of Timor-Leste.”
Lazaro likewise underscored the role of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the economic development of the Philippines, pointing out to how the country can help Timor-Leste in this regard.
“I mean, this is really a very important foundation also of Philippine business, and particularly the private sector,” the official said.
“So, rest assured we have many ways, many forums, and the Department of Trade and Industry is also willing to assist Timor-Leste on this particular request,” she added.
Freitas and his delegation are currently in the Philippines, with Oct. 26 reserved for its full ASEAN membership during the 47th Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
He was previously in Vietnam, Myanmar, and Brunei Darussalam.
In 2022, Timor-Leste was granted “in-principle” membership and since then has worked to meet the commitments required for full membership.
These requirements include hosting meetings and fulfilling bureaucratic responsibilities.

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ASEAN Timor-Leste Ma. Theresa Lazaro DFA bilateral meeting
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