00:00And also with the support from the government, our head of state, Timor-Leste is fully committed
00:07to become a full member into ASEAN family.
00:11Timor-Leste will do whatever it takes to become a member of ASEAN.
00:16This is what Timor-Leste's foreign minister, Bentito dos Santos Frietas, said today at
00:21the ASEAN foreign ministers' retreat in Langkawi.
00:25He said Timor-Leste was open to constructive criticism, adding that the country was more
00:30prepared to join ASEAN than other nations.
00:33Well, actually we are more prepared.
00:36And so if comparatively we can compare with the previous years, previous members, I think
00:41the situation of Timor-Leste is getting into a more modern era, digitalization, e-government.
00:47Frietas also said he expected Timor-Leste to become an ASEAN member this year when Malaysia
00:53is the chair.
00:54The chairmanship of Malaysia is very important for us, Timor-Leste, as we are aspiring to
01:00become a full member of ASEAN.
01:03This year will be important for us, will be a decisive and historic moment for us, as
01:08well as our leaders in the country, our head of state, head of government, all are really
01:14committed to be fully part of the ASEAN family this year, 2025.
