On February 13, Timor Leste Ambassador to Vietnam João Pereira gave an interview to The Gioi va Viet Nam Newspaper on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 press conference.
 |
| Ambassador João Pereira affirmed that the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 is an important opportunity for Timor Leste to demonstrate its willingness to cooperate and contribute to the common future of the region. (Photo: Jackie Chan) |
With the theme "Building a united, inclusive and resilient ASEAN in a changing world", the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 will continue to ignite the spirit of regional solidarity and contribute to building a positive, proactive and responsible image of Vietnam. Coming to this year's Forum, what are Timor Leste's expectations in the context of Dili's desire to join the regional common roof?
Our greatest hope for the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 is to reaffirm our commitment to becoming a full member of ASEAN. This forum is an important opportunity for us to demonstrate our willingness to cooperate and contribute to the common future of the region.
We expect that this Forum will bring together experts, government leaders, industry representatives and academics to discuss the future direction and build a strong ASEAN. ASEAN currently accounts for 8% of the world's population, proving that we have significant potential. This region is not only a center of economic growth but also plays an important role in maintaining global political stability.
The forum is held at an opportune time when the region is facing many challenges, geopolitical and economic competition, and the emergence of bilateral and multilateral conflicts. Therefore, this is an opportunity for ASEAN to propose ideas to orient the development of the region towards inclusiveness, solidarity and unity among the 11 member states, towards a stronger, more solid ASEAN and achieving the set common goals.
In the context of many fluctuations in the international situation, from geopolitical competition to non-traditional economic and security challenges, how do you view ASEAN's role in maintaining regional peace and stability as well as promoting multilateral cooperation globally?
As I have mentioned, the Southeast Asian region is strategically located both geopolitically and economically. Therefore, a united and strong ASEAN will contribute positively to global stability, peace and economic development.
I believe that ASEAN has an important role to play in promoting dialogue among member countries, and finding solutions to emerging political, economic and security issues. When ASEAN is more united, we will be stronger, thereby promoting the economic development of the region to a new level.
 |
| Delegates take souvenir photos at the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 press conference on February 13. (Photo: Anh Son) |
Over the past time, Vietnam has made efforts to contribute to ASEAN's long-term strategic goals, especially the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, to build a region of sustainable development, cohesion and influence in the international arena. Looking back on the 30 years of Vietnam's accession to ASEAN, what impresses you most about Vietnam's contribution to this organization?
Although I have only been in Vietnam for nine months, I am well aware of the remarkable progress Vietnam has made since gaining independence. Timor Leste and Vietnam share a history of fighting for freedom, but Vietnam has risen very quickly.
Although Vietnam joined ASEAN later than many other countries after its establishment in 1967, it quickly became an important pillar of ASEAN. With remarkable progress over the past decade, Vietnam has contributed and achieved many remarkable achievements.
I believe that in the future, Vietnam will continue to be one of the leading countries, contributing to shaping ASEAN into a stronger bloc.
Source
Comment (0)