Philippines and Timor-Leste Presidents to Enhance Bilateral Relations

MANILA — Presidents of the Philippines and Timor-Leste are poised to advance discussions on several aspects of their countries’ relationships this Friday, as confirmed by presidential communications from Malacañang.

According to Philippines News Agency, Communication Secretary Cheloy Garafil, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta will convene at the Malacañan Palace to deliberate on Manila and Dili’s multifaceted cooperation, including technical, political, educational, and economic sectors. The bilateral meeting aims to deepen ties between the two nations and explore new avenues for partnership.

Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Justice, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development will participate in the discussions with the leaders. President Ramos-Horta, who landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, was received by officials including Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Belinda Ante.

The visit underscores a concerted effort to bolster the bilateral relationship that was formally initiated on May 20, 2002. Timor-Leste’s participation as an observer in the recent 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia marks a significant step towards its integration into the ASEAN community. The regional summit’s roadmap and conditional approval for Timor-Leste’s membership signify the important strides the country is expected to make in aligning with ASEAN’s political, security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars.

President Marcos has publicly backed Timor-Leste’s progress towards democracy and ASEAN membership, a sentiment that aligns with Ramos-Horta’s aspiration for full membership by 2025, while remaining flexible to the timelines suggested by fellow ASEAN countries. This engagement is a part of Timor-Leste’s broader strategy to establish a stronger foothold in Southeast Asian diplomatic circles and to become the eleventh member of the ASEAN, which currently includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.