Minister Bendito participates in ASEAN–GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

DÍLI, 23 September 2026 (TATOLI) – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, participated in the ASEAN–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, co-chaired by Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.

Minister Bendito welcomed the growing ASEAN–GCC partnership and called for stronger practical cooperation in trade and investment, energy, sustainable infrastructure, digital connectivity, food and water security, tourism, education and human-capital development.

Minister Bendito also supported ongoing work towards a possible ASEAN–GCC Free Trade Agreement.

Addressing regional and international developments, Minister Bendito underscored peace, de-escalation, international law, freedom of navigation and resilient supply chains, reaffirming Timor-Leste’s commitment to advancing peace, resilience and shared prosperity.

TATOLI