DILI, 13 May 2026 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have agreed to open embassies in each other’s capitals, Dili and Port Moresby.
The bilateral discussions on plans to open embassies were held between Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta on the sidelines of the Melanesian Oceans Summit in Port Moresby on 11 May 2026.
“His Excellency Ramos-Horta has indicated his nation’s interest to open an embassy here, and I am also interested in opening an embassy there,” the Prime Minister said, as reported by NBC News.
Marape and Ramos-Horta also exchanged views on regional cooperation and mutual interests as Pacific nations and oil-and-gas producers.
President Ramos-Horta has also expressed support for Papua New Guinea’s bid to become a full member of ASEAN, according to NBC News.
Prime Minister Marape told PNG media he plans to visit Timor-Leste to strengthen strategic relations with the ASEAN’s youngest member state.
Both leaders celebrated their shared history of resilience and Melanesian heritage, pledging to transform their “ancient respect for the ocean” into a robust strategic partnership.
They reaffirmed their commitment to the “Blue Economy,” ensuring that ocean protection pledges translate into sustainable livelihoods for future generations.
Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea share deep cultural and ancestral connections with Melanesian peoples, with many Timorese having Malay-Polynesian and Melanesian heritage.
TATOLI
