New Zealand will support Timor-Leste adhesion to ASEAN

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Zacarias da Costa with

N.Z. Foreign Minister Hon. Murray McCully

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand Hon. Murray McCully stated during the billateral talk with his Timorese counter part Mr. Zacarias Albano da Costa today, in Wellington, that New Zealand will fully support the preparation of Timor – Leste assession to ASEAN. This support would be translated mainly in technical assistance and human resources development as some of the keys elements identified for assession to that regional organisation.

This statement was a response to the briefing by Minister da Costa on the preparation of Timor-Leste assession to ASEAN.

During the bilateral talks both Ministers discussed other areas of potential cooperation such as defence , security, agriculture, education.

Minister da Costa is in New Zealand for a four days official visit, where he also met with the Defence Minister, Hon. Dr. Wayne Mapp, Minister for Police, Madame Judith Collins among other New Zealand officials. He also witnessed today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries on NZ Volunteer Service Abroad work in Timor-Leste. END