Timor-Leste seeks Vietnam's support for economic self-reliance, infrastructure development

Vietnamese President To Lam hosted Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão for a meeting aimed at bolstering the relationship between the two nations. President To Lam emphasized the significance of the visit, stating it would inject new momentum into the "fine friendship" between Vietnam and Timor-Leste, ushering in a new phase of practical and effective development.

Congratulating Timor-Leste on its official admission to ASEAN, President To Lam affirmed Vietnam's commitment to supporting its integration and active participation in the bloc's cooperative mechanisms. Vietnam expressed its desire to strengthen multifaceted relations, supporting Timor-Leste's independence, peace, prosperity, and integration into regional and international communities.

The Vietnamese President lauded the outcomes of the talks between Prime Minister Gusmão and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung. He proposed that both countries continue to consolidate political ties, foster relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction party, and share experiences in party building, governance, and national development.

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Vietnam attaches importance to and wishes to strengthen multifaceted relations with Timor-Leste, supporting Timor-Leste's independence, peace, prosperity, and integration into regional and international communities.

Prime Minister Gusmão congratulated Vietnam on successfully organizing major political events and completing its leadership structure, showcasing the nation's solidarity, strength, and development vision under the Communist Party's guidance. He expressed admiration for Vietnam's rapid and sustainable development, finding inspiration for Timor-Leste and other nations. Gusmão also praised Vietnam's successful hosting of the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum, which provided a platform for policymakers, scholars, businesses, and youth to contribute to ASEAN's future vision.

Both leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in defense and security, expand economic and trade relations, and invest in potential sectors such as oil and gas, mining, agriculture, telecommunications, digital transformation, and human resource training. They also committed to strengthening cooperation in education, training, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, building on recently signed agreements including a visa exemption for ordinary passport holders and a memorandum of understanding on educational cooperation. The leaders also pledged to coordinate closely within ASEAN, the United Nations, and other international forums to contribute to bloc solidarity, uphold ASEAN's central role, and maintain peace, stability, cooperation, and development in Southeast Asia, emphasizing international law.

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I admire Vietnam's rapid and sustainable development process, which strongly inspires countries, including Timor-Leste.