The ASEAN Coordination Council’s Working Group (ACCWG) convened its 9th meeting in the central city of Danang on March 5 to discuss Timor Leste’s preparation for ASEAN membership.

In his speech, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, who chaired the meeting, said the working group needs to assess Timor Leste's readiness to join the regional bloc and its potential impacts on the organization. 

He said Vietnam will work closely with other ASEAN member states to help Timor Leste join ASEAN. Dung strongly stressed that major task of the ACCWG will focus on the ASEAN membership application of Timor Leste.

The Vietnamese Deputy PM asked the ACCWG’s survey teams focus on assessments of three pillars – Politics and Security, Economics, and Socio-Culture – during working sessions in Timor Leste.

Timor Leste applied to join ASEAN in 2011 and the ACCWG was established in 2012 to evaluate the capability and three pillars of Timor Leste. A number assessments on the country’s membership readiness have been made before being submitted to ASEAN leaders for approval.

During the meeting, participants also consented to provide positive support to Timor Leste in improving institutions, economics, income, living standards and knowledge of people.