A historical high level EP Visit to Timor-Leste one month ahead of the ASEAN accession.

A historical high level EP Visit to Timor-Leste one month ahead of the ASEAN accession.

10-strong ad hoc delegation of MEPs conducted an official visit to Dili, Timor-Leste, from 15 to 17 September.

Members of the European Parliament, concluded a mission to Timor-Leste, underlining the European Parliament's long-standing solidarity with the Timorese people and commitment to strengthening EU-Timor-Leste relations. The visit took place against the backdrop of growing geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific. Timor-Leste is among the few countries to have ratified the Samoa Agreement and is now approaching the final stage of its accession to ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

During the visit, Members met with the President of the Republic José Ramos Horta and 1996 Nobel Peace Laureate, the Speaker of the National Parliament Maria Fernanda Lay during the solemn opening of the 3rd legislative session of the 6th legislature, the Vice Prime Minister, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay and several Ministers such as the Minister of Interior, Minister of Justice, Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Petroleum, the minister of State Administration, Vice minister of parliamentary affairs and vice minister of Asean Affairs.

The delegation met with the major opposition party, representatives of civil society, representatives of international organisations, the private sector, ASEAN diplomats. Exchanges also included discussions with the g7+ initiative and Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva Archbishop of Dili during which Members discussed peace and reconciliation in fragile context.

The delegation conducted field visits to European projects such as Tibar Bay Port, Tibar training center and a coffee farm to assess potential maritime development, trade investment, export to international markets and job creation.

The fact-finding mission highlighted key findings in three areas:

• Democracy, human rights and social development :Timor-Leste continues to be a remarkable success story in democratic transition, though further reforms are needed to reinforce institutions and public trust. Challenges remain in education and health investment, gender equality and women empowerment and child protection

• Economy diversification: Reducing dependency on oil revenues and fostering a business-friendly environment are urgent to attract investment, and unlock the country's economic potential in particular in the agriculture sector, climate resilience and tourism.

• Regional engagement : Members welcomes Timor-Leste's forthcoming accession to ASEAN and will support the country's efforts to navigate a complex Indo-Pacific environment while safeguarding its sovereignty and its balanced foreign policy.

The MEP stressed that the EU's partnership with Timor-Leste is based on shared values, democracy and multilateralism and extends beyond development to include programmes that foster governance capacity building, youth opportunities, digital innovation, trade, connectivity, education and people-to-people ties. The EU must remain an engaged and reliable partner including through a strong presence in the country.

Concluding the visit, the Chair states " with my colleagues we leave Timor-Leste encouraged by the determination of its leaders, the vibrancy of its civil society, and above all, the energy of its youth. The European Union and the European Parliament will remain close partners at bilateral and multilateral level including within the OACPS joint parliamentary assembly as Timor-Leste continues to build a democratic, peaceful, and prosperous future."