Visiting Timor Leste PM on ASEAN bid: We believe we can contribute

Patricia Denise Chiu, GMA NewsJune 6, 2013 12:00pm

President Benigno Aquino III (left) walks visiting Timor Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao to Malacañang Palace on Thursday, June 6. Gusmao is in Manila for a five-day official visit that aims to strengthen his nation's bid to join the ASEAN. Reuters/Romeo Ranoco

Hoping to increase his country's chances of becoming a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),Timor Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao is in the Philippines for a five-day state visit.

Timor Leste, a former Portugese colony, is seeking membership to the regional group. Gusmao is set to visit all of the 10 member-states of the ASEAN this year.

Gusmao arrived in Malacañang about 10 a.m. and was welcomed by President Benigno Aquino III and members of the Cabinet.

“This visit to the Philippines is part of my effort to visit all ASEAN countries. [Timor Leste] is seeking membership to the ASEAN, because [we believe we] can contribute,” Gusmao said in the two leaders’ joint statement.

Gusmao also congratulated the Philippines for its upcoming Independence Day and wished Aquino success on his trip to the World Economic Forum in Myanmar on Friday.

“I would also like to wish, on behalf of the Government and People of Timor-Leste, our heartfelt congratulations on the 115th anniversary of your independence, which you will celebrate next week. [I also] wish Your Excellency every success with your visit to Myanmar,]” he said.

Timor Leste and the Philippines also signed three bilateral agreements on education, policy consultations and infrastructure.

Prior to his arrival at the Palace, Gusmao laid a wreath at the shrine of National Hero Jose Rizal in Luneta.

PHL supports Timor Leste's bid

For his part, Aquino welcomed the Timorese leader and expressed support for Timor Leste’s intent to join the the ASEAN.

“Allow me to express the Philippines’ support for Timor Leste’s bid to join the ASEAN community. We look forward to working more closely with you in the future in advancing regional dialogue, which we know will redound not only to the growth of our people and our countries, but will also contribute to the stability and continued development of our region,” he said.

Aquino hailed the excellent working relationship of the Philippines and Timor Leste, citing increased trade between the two nations.

“On the economic front, it is my pleasure to say that trade between the Philippines and the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste from 2011 to 2012 almost tripled,” he said.

“This is a positive sign of our robust partnership and with the signing of the agreements on infrastructure development and capacity building amongst others, we open more doors of opportunity for both our peoples, empowering them to take part in further building a more equitable, more progressive Southeast Asia,” Aquino added.

Assistance

Additionally, Aquino thanked the Timorese leader for his country’s assistance to the Philippines following the devastation caused by Typhoon Pablo in December last year.

“On behalf of the Filipino people, I would like to thank His Excellency the Prime Minister and Timor Leste peoples for the 750,000 dollar assistance extended to us for the victims of typhoon ‘Pablo’. The kindness that Timor Leste has shown will always be remembered by the Filipino people,” Aquino said.

Aquino and Gusmao also pledged to share military intelligence.

“In defense, the Prime Minister and I shared the same commitment to conduct military consultations and to exchange intelligence that is vital to maintaining peace and security on our part of the world. This is in keeping with the joint declaration on military cooperation which was signed by both our governments last year,” Aquino said. — RSJ/KBK, GMA News

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