DILI, 24 january 2025 (TATOLI) – The UK Minister of State for Indo-Pacific Catherine West, today paid a courtesy visit to Fernanda Lay, the President of the National Parliament of Timor-Leste.
During the meeting, the two discussed the UK’s immense contribution to Timor-Leste’s economy, especially its support for the Timorese community living and working in the UK.
She said that Minister West’s visit to Timor-Leste is significant and is part of a progression of improving relations between the two countries, which is important for Timor-Leste’s economic development: “We have many Timorese living and working in the UK. Therefore, it’s important to strengthen our bilateral relations.”
In addition, the two parties also discussed the importance of working together to combat climate change, since Timor-Leste is also highly vulnerable to natural disasters associated with droughts, floods, landslides, soil erosion, etc.
Minister West thanked Timor-Leste, especially the Timorese communities who have so far contributed to the UK’s economic development as migrant workers.
During her two-day visit to the country, Minister West met first with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, at the Governmental Palace, where the two leaders discussed strengthening cooperation in various fields, including climate change, economic development, and geopolitics.
The two also touched on Timor-Leste’s various preparations for the final moment of its accession to ASEAN, which the UK remains committed to supporting Timor-Leste’s efforts in striving for ASEAN full membership.
Minister West considered Timor-Leste, a country that matters so much to the UK: “We remain committed to supporting Timor-Leste to continue to developing as a stable and prosperous nation.”
Minister West also expressed the UK’s interest to open its embassy in Timor-Leste to strengthen and expand cooperation between the two countries.
Timor-Leste and the UK have long been great friends and the UK has become home to the largest Timorese community in any other overseas diaspora.
On behalf of the Timorese people, Prime Minister Gusmão thanked Minister West for her visit, saying that the UK’s support for Timor-Leste is immense, as more than 30,000 Timorese migrant workers currently live and work in the UK, contributing around US$30 million in remittances every year to Timor-Leste.
Gusmão also thanked the UK for its continued support for Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN, which is expected to happen this year.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins