DILI, 29 September 2025 (TATOLI) — Portugal and Timor-Leste have pledged to strengthen their long-standing bilateral cooperation, with education, justice, language, and maritime issues among the top priorities.
The new Portuguese ambassador to Timor-Leste, Duarte Bué Alves, met Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão on Monday at the Government Palace in Dili. The meeting served as his official introduction and as an opportunity to outline key areas of cooperation.
Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Alves said the talks were an initial exchange of views on shared challenges and opportunities. “I arrived in Timor-Leste a week ago and wanted to pay my respects to the Prime Minister. It was a first conversation about our bilateral relationship and the areas we can continue to develop,” he explained.
The ambassador highlighted the Portuguese language and the sea as central themes. “The language and the sea are elements that unite us. In Timor-Leste, we know the government gives great importance to the blue economy, and this was one of the points we discussed, looking at both opportunities and challenges this sector can bring,” he said.
Alves underlined that education and justice remain the pillars of Portuguese-Timorese cooperation. “Teacher training, the promotion of the Portuguese language, and support for Timor-Leste’s legal system are areas where Portugal has worked successfully, and we want to deepen that collaboration,” he stressed.
The meeting also touched on Timor-Leste’s upcoming accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), expected next month.
The ambassador said Portugal is following the process “with great interest,” drawing a parallel with Portugal’s own entry into the European Union. “Just as Portugal benefited from European integration, we believe Timor-Leste’s entry into ASEAN could bring significant opportunities, especially in trade and investment,” he noted.
On cultural cooperation, Alves announced new initiatives to strengthen ties between the two nations. “The Jorge Sampaio Portuguese Cultural Center will continue to be a reference point for Portuguese culture in Dili. This year we will host a music event, and next year a major initiative dedicated to literature, to bring our societies even closer,” he revealed.
He added that cultural promotion would be a central focus of his mission, using music, literature, and visual arts to reinforce dialogue between Portugal and Timor-Leste.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
