Timor-Leste continues to strengthen relations with the Philippines
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, Hernâni Coelho, held a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Secretary of the Philippines, Albert Del Rosario, in Manila, on December 17th, 2015. This meeting was part of the official visit between December 16th and 19th, 2015.
In the meeting, the cooperation between the two countries was discussed, in the areas of politics, economy, trade, industry, defence, health, education, agriculture, tourism, immigration, vocational training for nurses, among others. The leaders also shared experiences on combating poverty and forms of entering into public private partnerships.
To strengthen cooperation in the future, both parties have agreed to meet again in Timor-Leste, in 2016. A first consultation had already been held in June 2014, in Manila.
During the meeting, the representative of the Philippines reiterated the support of his country to the accession of Timor-Leste to ASEAN. On the other hand, in return he asked for Timor-Leste’s support to their application to international organizations such as the ICC (International Chamber of Commerce), CEDAW (the United Nations Commission for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women), the United Nations Security Council and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
"Timor-Leste will give support priority to the friendly nations of ASEAN," stated Hernâni Coelho.
After the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and his delegation met with the Director General of the Institute of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, where they analysed the mechanisms for future training of Timorese diplomats.
Introducing Timor-Leste
On December 16th, 2015, the Minister Hernâni Coelho spoke also with the Ambassadors of the ASAEN, CPLP and Pacific Islands countries and with a group of investors, about the development process and the challenges that Timor-Leste has faced in the last 13 years. He also thanked the two international organizations for the support given to their accession to ASEAN.
The official delegation was composed by the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to the Philippines, Juvêncio Martins, the interim Director for the Southeast Asian Affairs, Pedro Laranjeira, the Director of Protocol and Interim Chief of Staff, Elisa da Silva, and the coordinator ("focal point"), Inês da Luz.
