Monday January 15, 4:02 PM

Timor Leste Thanks Philippines, Asean for Role in Building Peace

CEBU CITY, Jan 15 Asia Pulse - Timor Leste Saturday expressed its deep appreciation to the Philippines and the other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for their role in helping bring peace and build stability in their country.

Timor Leste Foreign Minister Dr. Jose Luis Guterres expressed his country's sentiment during the ASEAN-Timor Leste Foreign Ministers Meeting chaired by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo Saturday.

Foreign Minister Guterres expressed particular appreciation to the Philippines for sending members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to join the UN mission in Timor Leste.

He also expressed gratitude and admiration for PNP Director Roldofo Tor, who was named by the United Nations as the police commissioner for its new mission in East Timor.

"We have a long tradition of contributing to peace-building and we are glad that we are able to help bring peace to the people of Timor Leste," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said after the meeting.

The Secretary also welcomed closer relations between ASEAN and Timor Leste, saying that Saturday's meeting "truly reflects the close ties that we have as neighbours in the region."

He told that building these ties are particularly important "now, more than ever before" in the face of "multi-faceted regional and global challenges, including traditional and non-traditional security threats, require even closer cooperation in the region."

Romulo welcomed Timor Leste's participation in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in the "spirit of regional good neighbourliness."

He said ASEAN's commitment to assist Timor Leste demonstrated the keen interest of ASEAN members in establishing a caring and sharing community.

Guterres told the meeting that Timor Leste hopes to one day join ASEAN.

Timor Leste is scheduled to accede to ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation during the ongoing 12th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits here, an act that is first step towards full membership in the regional bloc that is moving towards full regional integration.

(PNA)