DILI, may 03, 2023 (TATOLI)– The new Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Belinda Mariano Ante, presents her credentials to the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, at the Timorese Presidential Palace.
During the meeting, The President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, commented on the country’s imminent accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and called on the new Ambassador to prioritize the human resource capacity in Timor-Leste.
“The President of the Republic requests the new Philippine Ambassador to prioritize capacity building by preparing Timor-Leste’s human resources to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) following existing requirements,” Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MoFAC), Francisco Tillman Cepeda, told reporters at Dili’s Aitarak-Laran Presidential Palace.
In turn, the Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste undertook to convey Ramos Horta’s request to her Executive.
“Timor-Leste and the Philippines have carried out bilateral cooperation in the socio-cultural, economic, agricultural, and educational sectors. We have sent some students to the Philippines, and currently, some students have graduated from the Philippines, and some have been working in government state institutions in Timor-Leste,” he said
So far, the Philippines has awarded scholarships to 300 young Timorese who have completed their studies.
Journalist : Domingos Freitas
Editor : Izaura Lemos de Deus
Translation: Camilo de Sousa
