Prime Minister concludes successful visit to Viet Nam
The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and his delegation successfully concluded a 3 day official visit to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
On September 2, the Prime Minister departed Dili to embark on a 15 day visit that would take him to Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
Prime Minister Gusmão arrived in the capital of Viet Nam, Hanoi, on September 3, and delivered a keynote lecture at the Vietnam National University on “Statebuilding: Timor-Leste’s Experience in the Southeast Asian context”. His lecture was enthusiastically received by faculty members and students and was followed by question time, where the students expressed interest in establishing cultural exchange programs with Timorese students.
On September 4, formal proceedings began with a solemn ceremony at the Monument of National Heroes and Martyrs. The Prime Minister and his delegation, which included the Minister of State and of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Environment, the Vice Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Secretary of State for ASEAN Affairs, also paid their respects at the Mausoleum of Viet Nam’s founding father, President Ho Chi Minh.
The Prime Minister then met with his counterpart, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of Viet Nam at the Government Palace for bilateral discussions. In these discussions, both Prime Ministers agreed to explore further areas of possible future cooperation, including in the areas of economic investments, agriculture, oil and gas exploration and production and human resources development. In addition to bilateral issues, both Prime Ministers also had a constructive dialogue about matters of regional and global importance.
The Vietnamese Prime Minister reaffirmed his country’s support for Timor-Leste’s application to become a full member of ASEAN, noting that Timor-Leste’s entry into this regional body would serve to strengthen peace, stability and friendly cooperation in the region.
H.E. Mr Nguyen Tan Dung also pledged his government’s continued support to Timor-Leste’s development process. Viet Nam and Timor-Leste already enjoy a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship. Timor-Leste imports rice from Viet Nam and Viet Nam plays a critical role in diversifying Timor-Leste’s domestic telecommunications industry.
Viet Nam has offered to host the first meeting of the Viet Nam/Timor-Leste Joint Commission on Cooperation.
In the bilateral meeting, Timor-Leste reiterated its support for Viet Nam’s candidacy for a seat at the UN Human Rights Council in 2014-2016 and for the UN Security Council in 2020-2021.
Immediately following the bilateral meeting, both leaders witnessed the signing of the Trade Agreement between their respective Commerce Ministers before holding a joint press conference.
Later in the evening, the Vietnamese Prime Minister hosted an official dinner in honour of the Timorese Prime Minister where traditional music and dances were performed.
Prime Minister Gusmão continued his visit with courtesy calls on the President of the Republic and the Chairman of the National Assembly. The official delegation also took the opportunity to visit the headquarters of Viettel, the telecommunications company that is one of three service carriers operating in Timor-Leste.
On the last day of the visit, the official delegation travelled to Ho Chi Minh City where the Prime Minister met with local government authorities and visited the War Remnants Museum.
From Ho Chi Minh City the Prime Minister and his delegation departed for Phnom Penh to begin a four day official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
This year, the Prime Minister has committed to visiting each Member State of ASEAN to strengthen Timor-Leste’s relations in the region. The Prime Minister has already visited Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines.
