President Ramos-Horta holds bilateral talks with Vietnamese counterpart Tô Lâm
DÍLI, 24 September 2026 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic and Nobel Peace Laureate, José Ramos-Horta, held a bilateral meeting with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
President Ramos-Horta expressed his high appreciation for the positive evolution of relations between Timor-Leste and Vietnam, highlighting the strengthening of political trust and the expansion of bilateral cooperation in various fields.
He expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s rapid and sustainable development, considering the Vietnamese development experience an important source of inspiration for Timor-Leste.
The President thanked Vietnam for its continued support and partnership in Timor-Leste’s development process, as well as in the country’s regional and international integration efforts.
President Ramos-Horta reaffirmed his commitment to continue promoting increasingly substantial, practical, and effective bilateral cooperation, and informed that, as an immediate measure, the two parties will hold the first meeting of the Joint Bilateral Commission, aimed at analyzing plans and specific areas of cooperation.
President highlighted, among the areas to be considered, Vietnam’s support for strengthening Timor-Leste’s economic autonomy, developing the private sector, improving institutions, and developing infrastructure.
Tô Lâm, reaffirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to strengthening friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Timor-Leste, expressing the desire to deepen bilateral relations and make them increasingly substantial and effective.
President Lâm expressed appreciation for the results of the official visit of the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste to Vietnam and his participation in the Third ASEAN Future Forum, held in June 2026.
He stressed the need for both sides to continue to closely coordinate their efforts and effectively implement the high-level agreements and understandings reached.
He advocated for strengthening delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, with a view to creating new momentum for bilateral cooperation.
Tô Lâm called for the promotion of substantial cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, agriculture, telecommunications, education and training, and people-to-people exchanges.
The President reaffirmed Vietnam’s willingness to continue sharing experiences and supporting Timor-Leste in strengthening its role as an ASEAN member, in preparation for assuming the Presidency of the organization in 2029, and in deepening its regional integration.
The two leaders reached a number of understandings and commitments. They agreed to strengthen consultations, coordination, and mutual support within ASEAN, the United Nations, and other regional and international forums.
They also committed to contributing to strengthening the solidarity and centrality of ASEAN, as well as to promoting multilateralism and respect for international law. Both sides affirmed their intention to promote peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region.
The two leaders further agreed to closely coordinate the organization of commemorative activities for the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Timor-Leste and Vietnam, to be celebrated in 2027.
Finally, they agreed to follow up on the first meeting of the Joint Bilateral Commission, with a view to defining plans and specific areas for deepening bilateral cooperation.
TATOLI
