DILI, 10 July 2026 (TATOL) – President of the Republic J. Ramos-Horta, alongside Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, officially bid a warm farewell to the Fifth President of Indonesia, (H.C.) Megawati Soekarnoputri, at Nicolau Lobato International Airport today, marking the highly successful conclusion of her three-day visit.
The landmark trip, which began with the President conferring the nation’s highest honour upon Ibu Megawati, transitioned on its final day from a profound celebration of historical reconciliation into a bold, forward-looking commitment to shared prosperity.
Prior to her departure, Megawati held a pivotal bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Gusmão, where the two veteran leaders—describing themselves as “guardians of the baton” for the next generation—outlined comprehensive frameworks for future strategic cooperation.
“The proposed initiatives focus on maritime economy and climate resilience through Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), comparative ideological studies of both nations’ founding fathers via the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP), and robust inter-party collaboration aimed at strengthening grassroots democracy and women’s political leadership,” said in a statement.
The visit was a monumental reaffirmation of mutual trust that will elevate bilateral ties ahead of Timor-Leste’s anticipated ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029. Invoking the historic Bandung Spirit to navigate today’s global challenges, President Ramos-Horta praised Ibu Megawati’s visionary proposals, noting that the unbreakable chain of friendship forged by the leaders of the past will now serve as the permanent foundation for empowering the youth and guiding the modern Indonesia-Timor-Leste partnership into a bright, unified future.
TATOLI
