DILI, 30 january 2025 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Hora received the Letter of Credence from Anne A. Padua, the New Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to Timor-Leste. The credential ceremony took place at the President Nicolau Lobato Palace.
After the presentation of the credentials, President Horta and Ambassador Padua hold a bilateral discussion on strengthening cooperation between the two countries in key sectors to promote sustainable development in Timor-Leste.
The Deputy Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Rangel, who accompanied Ambassador Padua, said that during the meeting the two also touched on Timor-Leste’s various preparations for the final moment of its accession to ASEAN.
“They also discussed the Philippines’ support for Timor-Leste in the education sector, which is crucial for supporting Timorese students who are currently studying in the Philippine universities,” Rangel told reporters at the Presidential Palace, today.
She said that the two parties also discussed the importance of extending cooperation between the two countries to other important areas, adding that more bilateral meetings between the two countries will be needed to reactivate technical cooperation, which is important for exploring new areas for the cooperation of the two states.
Last year, in a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, Enrique Manalo, expressed the Philippines’ interest to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two states in terms of economic and political cooperation and also in other areas, namely the Political Consultation Mechanism established during the visit of Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão in 2013.
Enrique Manalo asked Timor-Leste to reactivate the aforementioned political cooperation mechanism so that it can consolidate partnership cooperation in the areas of economic, social, political, and others.
Minister Freitas and Manalo also discussed key aspects of cooperation covering important sectors such as education, health, agriculture, technical and vocational training, defense and security, human resources training, and, specifically, the food processing sector.
Timor-Leste and the Philippines mark over two decades of diplomatic partnership, anchored in a shared commitment to regional development and cooperation. Since establishing formal relations upon Timor-Leste’s independence in 2002, the Philippines has demonstrated unwavering support through various channels—from the crucial contributions of Filipino peacekeepers and development workers during the UN transitional period to the ongoing presence of hundreds of Filipino educators shaping Timor-Leste’s next generation. This enduring relationship is further strengthened by the Philippines’ consistent advocacy for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership bid since 2011, complemented by sustained technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives that underscore both nations’ dedication to fostering regional integration and mutual growth.
TATOLI
