DILI, 26 September 2025 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, Jose Ramos-Horta, met on Friday at the Presidential Palace with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Marc Gerritsen, an occasion on which he reaffirmed the excellent and friendly relations between the two countries.
Ambassador Gerritsen extended his country’s congratulations on Timor-Leste’s imminent accession to ASEAN, recognizing it as a major step for both the nation and the region. The discussion highlighted the shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law that form the foundation of their strong bilateral friendship.
The meeting focused on concrete avenues for future cooperation, namely in strengthening economic and trade relations between Timor-Leste, the Southeast Asian region, and Europe. President Ramos-Horta welcomed the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting the full integration of Timor-Leste into the international community.
In a particularly significant gesture, Ambassador Gerritsen announced that his country will provide a young Timorese journalist with a study tour and a training program, with the aim of strengthening skills and promoting an independent press, an initiative warmly welcomed by the Head of State.
As part of the celebration of the strong diplomatic ties and the historic milestone of Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN, the Embassy of the Netherlands is organizing a community bicycle tour in Dili. President Ramos-Horta expressed his full support for this initiative, which symbolizes the spirit of friendship and partnership, and reiterated the desire for the Netherlands to remain a close partner in the process of national development and regional integration, a sentiment also shared by Ambassador Gerritsen.
TATOLI
