DILI, 15 august 2023 (TATOLI)—The Philippines Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Belinda Antes, conduct the courtesy visit to the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, and expressed her intention to cooperate with Timor-Leste in various fields focusing on human resources, agriculture, and the economy.
“We support this country and we have discussed a number of projects that we can implement here in various fields, in the area of capacity building projects, developing the agricultural sector. We are also discussing the possibilities for our investors to invest in Timor – Leste,” the Ambassador of the Philippines Belinda Antes told reporters at the Government Palace, Dili.
She emphasized that all of these plans were in progress and hoped that the Philippines will continue to support Timor-Leste in the next few months because Prime Minister Gusmao and his government had worked hard to resolve domestic problems including economic integration in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) especially in the economic field.
“There are many obstacles the country faces at the moment, such as climate change has made it difficult for agricultural development, but I think this government has good intentions because they see every possibility, to help their country and the people,” she said.
Ambassador also believes that with the help of all development partners such as ASEAN member countries, and UN agencies, Timor-Leste will be more developed.
Recalled that the long history of relations between the two countries started in 1994 when the first International Conference on Timor-Leste’s aspirations for independence, democracy, and rule of law was held in the Philippines, especially at the University of the Philippines. And after that from 1999 to 2012, the Filipinos have also been at the forefront of UN calls to provide humanitarian assistance to Timor-Leste, where a number of Filipino defense and police personnel were involved in UN missions.
“Since then, of course, we have been very supportive of Timor Leste, and in 2011, when PM Xanana was prime minister at the time applied for membership in ASEAN. We are one of the countries that also support it,” she concluded.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
