Timor-Leste Strengthens Diplomatic and Economic Ties at 2nd ASEAN Future Forum
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, accompanied the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, on an official visit to Vietnam to take part in the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum 2025, held in Hanoi on February 25th and 26th, 2025. 
The 2nd ASEAN Future Forum brought together more than 600 leaders and experts to discuss strengthening ASEAN in the context of global transformations. The event addressed innovation, resilience and sustainability themes, highlighting ASEAN's central role in regional cooperation. President José Ramos-Horta emphasised that Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN represents a strategic step towards strengthening regional cooperation and promoting sustainable development. 
As part of the event, the Head of State participated in a high-level panel discussion with the Prime Ministers of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, and New Zealand, Christopher Luxon. The session centred on strategic self-reliance, resilience and strengthening regional partnerships in Southeast Asia.
The President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, also met with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, for a bilateral meeting in which both leaders reaffirmed their mutual political trust and discussed strategies for strengthening economic relations between the two countries. The Vietnamese Prime Minister highlighted the agreements already in place, including visa exemptions, and proposed issuing work certificates to facilitate the mobility of the Timorese labour force. President Ramos-Horta reiterated Timor-Leste's significant progress in fulfilling the ASEAN accession roadmap over the last two years and expressed his expectation of welcoming the Vietnamese Prime Minister to Timor-Leste. During the meeting potential areas of cooperation were explored, including financial centres focusing on innovation, food security and rice production. 
Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas also accompanied President Ramos-Horta to a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, where the two leaders discussed Timor-Leste's membership of ASEAN. The Malaysian Prime Minister reaffirmed his country's commitment to supporting Timor-Leste's full membership during Malaysia's chairmanship of the organisation in 2025. President Ramos-Horta expressed his gratitude for Malaysia's continued support and reiterated Timor-Leste's determination to fulfil the requirements established for its full integration into the regional bloc. 
During the official visit, the Timorese delegation also met with Nguyen Thi Hoa, Executive Director of the Viettel Group, the company that owns telecommunications operator Telemor in Timor-Leste, to discuss the development of the telecommunications sector in the country. Viettel reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the internet network, evolving from 4G to 5G technology, to strengthen connectivity and boost the digital economy. President Ramos-Horta highlighted telecommunications as a strategic pillar for economic growth and modernisation, praising Telemor's role in improving digital connectivity and inclusion since its launch in 2012.
The President of the Republic also met with To Lam, the Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam, to discuss strengthening the bilateral relationship and Vietnamese support for Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN.
The Timor-Leste delegation also included João Pereira, the ambassador to Vietnam; Marcos da Costa, the Director General of Bilateral Affairs for Asia and Oceania of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; and representatives of the national private sector, reinforcing the country's commitment to creating strategic partnerships and economic development. 
