DILI, 08 May 2025 (TATOLI) – Cambodia’s Senate President, Hun Sen, and Timor-Leste’s President, Jose Ramos-Horta, reaffirmed the commitment of the two countries to strengthen bilateral relations.
During the diplomatic engagement at the Presidential Palace Nicolau Lobato today, both leaders highlighted Timor-Leste’s remarkable economic progress and Cambodia’s continued support for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership bid.
Hun Sen expressed his excitement about the impressive development Timor-Leste has achieved since his previous visit in 2016.
Hun Sen emphasized Timor-Leste’s economic advancement, stating that the country’s GDP per capita had reached US$2,453 in 2024, considerably higher than Cambodia’s US$281 when it joined ASEAN in 1999. “Timor-Leste’s GDP per capita and human resource capacity are sufficient for ASEAN membership,” Hun Sen declared, pledging his support for Timor-Leste’s bid to become a full ASEAN member.
The Cambodian leader described their discussions as “in-depth,” covering bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Hun Sen thanked President Horta for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the official visit.
Hun Sen conveyed warm greetings from King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia, along with an invitation for President Ramos-Horta to pay an official visit to Cambodia “at an appropriate time.”
President Horta, in his response, praised Hun Sen as “the liberator and founder of modern Cambodia,” drawing parallels between Hun Sen and Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão. “You both have extraordinary similarities in the way you led your people through extraordinarily difficult times,” said Horta.
President emphasized the long-standing friendship between the two nations and expressed hope for expanded economic cooperation, trade, and investment. “We consider you to be a friend, a best friend of Timor-Leste,” Ramos-Horta affirmed, adding, “We count on you, dear friend Hun Sen, to assist us in our development efforts.”
It is recalled that during last month’s bilateral meeting in Phnom Penh between Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister, Bendito Freitas, and his Cambodian counterpart, Prak Sokhonn, the two discussed strengthening cooperation in various fields, ranging from economics, trade, tourism, and education to people-people exchange.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
