Luang Prabang, Laos PDR, January 28, 2024 - The Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs and Timor-Leste SOM Leader, Milena Rangel, attended the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM). The meeting was chaired by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Lao PDR SOM Leader, Thongphanh Savanphet, at the Namkhong Room, Conference Centre, Pullman Hotel. During the meeting, Timor-Leste was invited to deliver the general statement as an observer. In the statement, the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs and Timor-Leste SOM Leader, Milena Rangel, congratulated Lao PDR for assuming its ASEAN chairmanship in 2024 and appreciated the priorities shared under the theme, “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” and also congratulated Indonesia for a sucessfull ASEAN chairmanship last year and appreciated the ASEAN member states and ASEAN development partners continued support for Timor-Leste's membership in ASEAN.