NAYPYITAW, Myanmar – July 25, 2025 – Timor-Leste is actively engaging with Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC) government in a diplomatic effort to gain its support for full membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

On July 24, 2025, Mr. Olandino Ruide Andrade, Chargé d'affaires of the Timor-Leste Embassy in Yangon, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Naypyitaw. During his visit, he met with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ko Ko Kyaw to discuss Timor-Leste's aspiration to become an ASEAN member.

According to a statement released by the SAC, Mr. Andrade conveyed Timor-Leste's desire to secure the encouragement and support of all ASEAN member states for its accession. He reportedly assured the Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister that Timor-Leste is committed to upholding all provisions of the ASEAN Charter.

Mr. Andrade also expressed Timor-Leste's wish to establish good relations with all ASEAN member countries, including Myanmar. He reiterated Timor-Leste's eagerness to strengthen friendly ties between the two nations and extended an invitation for Myanmar to open an embassy in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste.

In response, Myanmar's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs emphasized that Timor-Leste's pursuit of ASEAN membership must align with the ASEAN Charter. He also stressed the importance of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states.

The Deputy Minister stated that Myanmar was pleased to learn of Timor-Leste's desire to enhance bilateral relations. He also acknowledged Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister's reported interest in visiting Myanmar. U Ko Ko Kyaw affirmed that Myanmar actively participates in ASEAN community-building initiatives and the leadership of the ASEAN Chair, in line with its foreign policy.

The SAC statement further noted that Deputy Minister U Ko Ko Kyaw highlighted a recent positive discussion between the Myanmar delegation and Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related gatherings, where both sides explored ways to improve bilateral relations.