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Foreign ministers

Cambodia Reiterates Support for Timor-Leste's Bid to Join ASEAN

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Cambodia's Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn reaffirmed the country's backing for Timor-Leste's accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during a meeting with the newly appointed Timorese envoy. Cambodia has been a vocal supporter of Timor-Leste's bid to join the bloc, with diplomatic relations between the two countries steadily developing over the years. As Timor-Leste prepares to become the 11th member of ASEAN in October, Cambodia has pledged to strengthen bilateral ties and provide necessary assistance to the new ambassador.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cambodia has been a vocal supporter of Timor-Leste's bid to join ASEAN, with Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn assuring the new ambassador of the country's full support and necessary assistance.
  • Diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Timor-Leste have developed steadily over the years, with both countries sharing common interests in regional integration, people-to-people ties, and cooperation in areas such as trade, education, and capacity building.
  • Timor-Leste is set to become the 11th member of ASEAN in October, a milestone following years of preparation and diplomatic groundwork.
  • The new Timorese ambassador, Marcos dos Reis da Costa, began his career as one of the first 50 young diplomats recruited in 2000 to help establish Timor-Leste's foreign service, and has held several key diplomatic positions in Malaysia, the United Nations Office in Geneva, and Jakarta.
  • Ambassador da Costa has expressed his gratitude to Cambodia for its consistent and strong support for Timor-Leste's bid to join ASEAN, and has thanked the government and people of Cambodia for their steadfast support of Timor-Leste's journey towards full membership.

Statistics:

  • Timor-Leste is set to become the 11th member of ASEAN in October.
  • Cambodia has supported Timor-Leste's bid to join ASEAN since the beginning of the accession process.
  • The new Timorese ambassador, Marcos dos Reis da Costa, has held several key diplomatic positions, including Second Secretary in Malaysia and Counsellor in Jakarta.
  • 50 young diplomats were recruited in 2000 to help establish Timor-Leste's foreign service.
  • Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta has conveyed warm greetings to the government and people of Cambodia for their support of Timor-Leste's bid to join ASEAN.

Sources:

  • "Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn meets Timor-Leste's new ambassador" by Cambodia Post. No publication date.
  • No additional sources mentioned in the text.

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