DILI, 02 March 2026 (TATOLI) – President and Nobel Peace Laureate, Jose Ramos-Horta, officially received the Letters of Credence from His Excellency Mr. Ramil Abil Rzayev, as the new Non-Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The official credentials ceremony took place today at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace.
Ambassador Ramil Abil Rzayev, a distinguished career diplomat, presented his credentials to President Ramos-Horta. He is concurrently appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Indonesia and Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, with residence in Jakarta. Bringing a wealth of experience to his new role, Ambassador Rzayev’s career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan spans over two decades. His service includes key leadership positions such as Head of the State Protocol Department (2018-2024) and prior diplomatic postings in the Embassies of Azerbaijan to Russia, Georgia, and Kazakhstan. Throughout his distinguished career, he has held roles in the CIS, Consular, and Legal Support Departments, gaining profound expertise in international law and diplomatic protocol. Ambassador Rzayev holds a Master of Arts in International Law with honors from Baku State University and has further advanced his studies at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Federation. He is fluent in English, Russian, and Turkish.
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Republic of Azerbaijan have maintained diplomatic relations since April 5, 2004, a relationship defined by mutual respect and a shared commitment to multilateral cooperation. Although geographically distant, bilateral engagement has been elevated through high-level dialogue. A significant milestone in the partnership was the meeting between President Ramos-Horta and President Ilham Aliyev on the margins of the 10th Nizami Ganjavi International Forum in Baku in March 2023. That pivotal discussion opened pathways for potential collaboration in sectors such as energy, education, and agriculture, aligning with Timor-Leste’s national development priorities and Azerbaijan’s expertise in areas like oil and gas governance.
This growing partnership will be further reinforced later this month, as President Ramos-Horta is scheduled to attend the XIII Global Baku Forum, themed “Bridging Divides in a World in Transition” which will take place from March 12-14, 2026, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
President J. Ramos-Horta welcomed Ambassador Rzayev to Timor-Leste and conveyed his optimism for the future of bilateral relations.
“It is a great pleasure to welcome Ambassador Ramil Abil Rzayev to Timor-Leste. His extensive experience in diplomacy and international law is an asset that will undoubtedly strengthen the friendly ties between our two nations. I look forward to building on the productive dialogue established with President Aliyev and exploring new avenues for cooperation that bring tangible benefits to both our peoples.”
The appointment of Ambassador Ramil Abil Rzayev signals a continued and mutual commitment to deepening the bonds of friendship and exploring collaboration between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
TATOLI
