DILI, 15 July 2025 (TATOLI) – As part of his official visit to Singapore, Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, on Monday, met with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to reaffirm both countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in support of regional development and Timor-Leste’s full integration into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“I appreciate the opportunity to reaffirm our strong bilateral ties and to exchange ideas on regional development,” Prime Minister Gusmão said in a statement.
Gusmão welcomed Singapore’s plan to establish an embassy in Dili in the near future, calling it an important step toward deepening diplomatic relations, strengthening friendship, and building mutual trust between the two countries.
The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude for Singapore’s support in public administration, technical training, and governance, noting that the contributions of the city-state have been “highly valued by the Timorese people.”
Gusmão emphasized Timor-Leste’s interest in expanding cooperation with Singapore into new areas, including trade, investment, infrastructure, and education.
He also highlighted Singapore’s development journey as an inspiration for Timor-Leste, particularly its long-term strategic planning and investments in human capital and institutional capacity.
On regional integration, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s commitment to achieving full ASEAN membership, with the country expecting formal accession during the next summit scheduled for October.
“We are grateful for Singapore’s support, especially in capacity-building and technical cooperation,” he said. “ASEAN is essential for peace and progress in our region, and we are determined to contribute meaningfully to its success.”
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito Freitas; Secretary of State for Social Communication, Expedito Dias Ximenes; and Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to Singapore, Alexandre Tilman.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
