DILI, 20 december 2023 (TATOLI) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MoFAC), Benedito Freitas held a Courtesy meeting with Malaysian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Amarjit Singh Sarjit to discuss the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
“We discussed with the Malaysian Ambassador the bilateral cooperation between Timor-Leste and Malaysia because in 2024 the two countries will realize the first Senior Officials’ Meeting (SEOM),” said in a statement.
The purpose of the Senior Official’s Meeting is to jointly identify several important programs so that Timor-Leste and Malaysia can discuss and strengthen diplomatic relations and bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the future.
Timor-Leste and Malaysia have had a bilateral cooperation relationship since Timor-Leste’s independence in 2002.
Malaysia is one of Timor-Leste’s strongest collaborators in the latter’s nation-building efforts. Over the years, assistance has been largely channeled through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP) and the Malaysian Defense Cooperation Program (MDCP).
To realize this program, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof already met the Vice Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay from 3 to 6 december 2023. Both leaders meet on 4 December 2023 to take stock of the state of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Timor-Leste and discuss international issues of mutual concern.
Kabualdi Lay, who also holds the portfolio of Minister of Tourism and Environment, already met the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing to discuss potential collaboration in the tourism sector between the two countries.
“The visit is expected to further strengthen and enhance the bilateral relationship between the two countries, and demonstrate Malaysia’s support for the full membership of Timor-Leste into ASEAN. In 2022, the total bilateral trade between Malaysia and Timor-Leste was RM384.48 million (US$90.2 million), an increase of 93.3 percent compared to 2021, valued at RM194.09 million (US$46.6 million).
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
