Timor-Leste and Indonesia sign five memoranda of understanding on the economy, higher education, industry and climate
As part of his official visit to Indonesia, Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, accompanied by several members of the Government, met with the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, on February 13th, 2023, at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, Indonesia, to strengthen bilateral relations between both countries and sign five Memoranda of Understanding.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the Indonesian President's commitment to expanding economic relations between the two countries, particularly in strengthening economic cooperation in the border areas.
The definition of the land borders between the two countries was also discussed during the meeting. Taur Matan Ruak expressed that all necessary efforts would be made to resolve the issue in the short term.
The Head of Government expressed his gratitude for Timor-Leste becoming an observer of ASEAN and asked Joko Widodo to continue to support Timor-Leste in implementing the roadmap for Timor-Leste's total membership.
During this meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno and her Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi, signed a joint declaration on establishing economic zones in border areas, intending to establish cross-border free trade zones.
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, Longinhos dos Santos and the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of Indonesia, Nadiem Makarim, signed a memorandum of cooperation on higher education.
Minister José Lucas do Carmo signed a memorandum of understanding on industrial technical cooperation and his counterpart Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita.
Timor-Leste's Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva, and Dwikorita Karnawati, from Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in meteorology, climatology and geophysics.
Lastly, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in human resources development and institutional capacity building at the electoral level was signed by the President of the National Electoral Commission of Timor-Leste, José Belo and the Head of the General Electoral Commission of Indonesia, Hasyim Asy'ari.
