SG Minh also informed PM Rui that as part of the process to prepare for eventual membership, ASEAN would provide opportunities for Timor-Leste to participate in some ASEAN activities so as to build capacity and expose Timor-Leste to ASEAN work processes and methods. Responding to this, PM Rui expressed his gratitude to ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat for the support adding that he looked forward to having a frank discussion with ASEAN on how Timor-Leste could proceed with its membership application after the studies were concluded.