Geneva, 11 October 2023 – In the recently held sixth Working Party on the Accession of Timor-Leste to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Philippines underscored its continued commitment and strong support for Timor-Leste's bid to become a WTO member. The meeting, chaired by Ambassador Rui Macieira of Portugal, took place exactly three years after its first meeting in October 2020.
Ambassador Macieira noted the exemplary speed of the proceedings, stating, "This is thanks to the hard work and determination of the Timorese negotiating team and the support and cooperation by all members." He confidently signaled that Timor-Leste is nearing its final stages of the accession process.
H.E. Mr. Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, representing Timor-Leste as its Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, emphasized the noteworthy progress achieved in bilateral market access negotiations with members. "I hope you will all agree with me that Timor-Leste is now in the very final stretch of joining the WTO," he declared.
Echoing this sentiment, Philippine Ambassador Manuel Teehankee expressed the Philippines' support on the advancements made and conveyed pride in the Philippines being one of the first members to sign a bilateral market access agreement with Timor-Leste.
Additionally, he commended Timor-Leste for its dedication towards harmonizing its legislative framework with WTO rules. Highlighting the significance of the steps taken, he noted, "Timor-Leste’s participation in the ITA demonstrates its commitment to create market conditions that would enable its economy to access global value chains."
The Working Party intends to convene its final meeting by the end of 2023. This critical session aims to adopt the draft Accession Package ad referendum, which will then be presented to MC13 for formal action.
With Timor-Leste poised for WTO membership, the Philippines stands firm in its support, envisioning an enriched ASEAN region and broader international collaborations.
About the Philippines in the WTO:
The Philippines, a founding member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has consistently played an active role in promoting free trade and fostering economic cooperation. Its ongoing support for Timor-Leste's accession underscores its commitment to the principles of inclusivity and regional growth.
