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East Timor wants to join Melanesian Spearhead Group

The Democratic Republic of Timor Leste (East Timor) of Southeast Asia, has expressed interest in joining the Pacific's Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

Tue, 10 Aug 2010

SUVA, Fiji ( FIJI SUN) ---- The Democratic Republic of TimorLeste (East Timor) of Southeast Asia, has expressed interest in joining the Pacific's Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) in which Fiji is a member.

This was revealed following a meeting between Minister forForeign Affairs, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola with Timor Leste's Minister for Foreign Affairs Zacarias Albano da Costa in Suva yesterday.

Mr da Costa said they would be writing formally seeking approval to be part of the Melanesian family "Timor Leste wants to be a part ofthe Melanesia Family and in this regard we will be writing to formally seek observer status with the MSG", he said.

Mr da Costa said that it is also important for Fiji to be part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in which they would be applying for observer status.

This was after Ratu Inoke briefed him on his recent meetings in Jakarta with the Foreign Ministers of Thailand and Indonesia and the Secretary General for ASEAN Surin Pitsuwan.

"The Government of Fiji is grateful for the support expressed by the Foreign Ministers of Thailand and Indonesia on Fiji's desire to be an Observer at ASEAN. Fiji is hopeful Timor Leste will be able to do likewise", Ratu Inoke said.

Ratu Inoke also thanked the Government and People of Timor Leste for its participation at the recently concluded 'Engaging with the Pacific' Leaders Meeting in Natadola last month. "Fiji also wishes to thank Timor Leste for its support for our Strategic Framework for Change", he said.

Mr da Costa said that he met especially with the President of Timor Leste before coming to Fiji and he has asked him to convey his support for Fiji's Strategic Framework forChange. "Timor Leste has its own experience as we seek to achieve nationhood and we feel, Fiji better than anyone else, knows what's best for Fiji. Democracy cannot be attained over night and we want to assure Fiji of our support regionally and internationally", Mr da Costa said.