Timor-Leste Ambassador: Accession to ASEAN – ‘A Dream Has Become Reality’
WVR - Immediately after Timor-Leste officially became the 11th member of ASEAN, Timor-Leste Ambassador to Vietnam João Pereira shared with The World and Vietnam Report about this historically significant event for Timor-Leste and ASEAN alike.
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| ASEAN leaders witness the signing of the declaration on Timor-Leste's admission to ASEAN during the 47th ASEAN Summit. (Photo: VGP) |
What is the significance of Timor-Leste's official entry into ASEAN, especially in the context of the region's push for economic integration and cooperation for sustainable development, Ambassador?
Timor-Leste's official admission to ASEAN after 14 years of relentless effort holds great significance for the country and its people.
This is not only “a dream come true” but also a strong affirmation of our nation's journey—a journey of resilience, determination, and hope to become an inseparable part of a community bound by shared values and aspirations.
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| Timor-Leste Ambassador to Vietnam João Pereira. (PH) |
That is what Timor-Leste aspires to. We aim to contribute to the peace, stability, and prosperity of the region. At the same time, Timor-Leste will be part of efforts to build resilience, enhance solidarity, and ensure that no one is left behind. This is our greatest aspiration—and the reason why we wish to be part of this community.
How does Timor-Leste plan to contribute to ASEAN's common priorities, particularly in areas such as inclusive growth, green transition, and regional connectivity?
Timor-Leste's entry into ASEAN is a testament to the spirit of our people—a democracy born from hardship, now embracing the milestone of a new era of cooperation and development within one of the world's most dynamic regions.
This is a region of over 600 million people sharing a vision of peace, stability, and prosperity with goals of inclusive growth, green transition, and regional connectivity between people, governments, and businesses. These are the aspirations and determination of the people of Timor-Leste after becoming an official member of ASEAN.
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| Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung receives Timor-Leste's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas visiting Vietnam on September 16, 2025. (Photo: WVR) |
Vietnam and Timor-Leste have potential for cooperation in many fields. How do you assess the prospects of enhancing relations between the two countries now that Timor-Leste is an official member of ASEAN?
The strong relationship between the two countries has been built since we established our Embassy in Vietnam and from the time we gained independence. Vietnam is one of the key pillars of the region, and Timor-Leste always seeks to cooperate with Vietnam to promote collaboration in various fields.
I believe the immediate plan is for Vietnam to soon establish an Embassy in Timor-Leste. We hope that with Timor-Leste becoming a member of ASEAN, Vietnam will have a greater presence in our country, fostering deeper cooperation.
For Timor-Leste, Vietnam's strategic position in the region is a significant advantage. In recent decades, Vietnam's economy has developed steadily and rapidly, inspiring Timor-Leste to establish closer ties and deeper cooperation with Vietnam.
Becoming an ASEAN member will also open up more opportunities for Timor-Leste to learn, exchange experiences, and pursue areas of cooperation that both countries are interested in and have common benefits. Timor-Leste and Vietnam began cooperation in 2002, and to date, one of the strongest bilateral cooperation areas is telecommunications and media. Recently, Vietnam's Telemore company (Viettel Telemore) has significantly contributed to Timor-Leste's development, providing the most accessible and convenient telecommunications services to the people.
We will also promote development in other areas, including agriculture, education, science and technology, information technology, and oil and gas. I note that the Prime Minister of Vietnam has also expressed a desire to cooperate with Timor-Leste in oil and gas exploration and mining, thereby boosting investment in other areas such as agriculture and fisheries.
The question is how both sides can jointly promote these areas of cooperation, especially after Timor-Leste becomes an ASEAN member, to build specific cooperation agreements, thereby achieving more practical and effective results in the future.
Thank you, Ambassador!
