Dili, May 21 (AseanAll)  — On May 21st, 2025, during a meeting at the Government Palace in Dili, Timor-Leste Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs formally handed over the translated compilation of ASEAN Legal Instruments to Timor-Leste Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, in compliance with Priority No. 1 of Criterion 2 of the Roadmap for the Full Accession of Timor-Leste to ASEAN. 

This priority aligns with the requirement for the official translation of ASEAN legal instruments into the national languages of Timor-Leste — Portuguese and Tetum — as a crucial step to ensure their comprehension and implementation by national institutions. This is a fundamental requirement to demonstrate the country's ability to implement and comply with the treaties, conventions, agreements, and other instruments of the regional organisation, as stipulated in the Roadmap approved by the ASEAN Member States. 

The translations now available encompass the three pillars of the ASEAN Community: Political-Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural. This milestone signifies a noteworthy advancement in aligning the national legal framework with ASEAN standards, reinforcing Timor-Leste's commitment to the principles and obligations arising from its future membership.

The translated versions will serve as an essential reference for state institutions and other stakeholders involved in the regional integration process, contributing to more informed, structured, and effective adherence.