Jakarta , 4th of March 2011- The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Zacarias Albano da Costa, at the Joint Ministerial Meeting handed the formal candidacy of Timor-Leste to ASEAN to his counterpart H.E. Dr. Marty Natalegawa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Republic Indonesia, presently chairman of ASEAN.
At the press conference following the event, the Minister Natalegawa expressed his personal satisfaction for having the opportunity to initiate Timor-Leste's formal candidacy to ASEAN's accession, which is will fully supported by the Republic of Indonesia.
The Minister Zacarias da Costa at the occasion said that : “this is a historical moment for Timor-Leste and constitutes a decisive step in our integration in this regional space to which we naturally belong. Asia, more precisely the Southeast Asia, is the most vibrant region in the world”.
The Minister Zacarias da Costa added that: "ASEAN is on its way to a greater economic integration of its member state countries, and Timor-Leste's development will benefit from its membership in this economic Organisation. The increasing of investments will contribute extensively to our strive against poverty and to the improvement of living conditions of our people.”
