Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão received today at the Government Palace the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore, Vivian Balakrishnan, who is on an official visit to Timor-Leste from July 23rd to 27th, 2023. 

During the meeting, Vivian Balakrishnan reiterated Singapore’s commitment to support Timor-Leste’s accession as a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão welcomed the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, highlighting it as a positive step towards the cooperation between the two countries. The Head of Government also mentioned that he considers Singapore a positive example for Timor-Leste.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Singapore, Maria Natália Viegas Carrascalão. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore was accompanied by the Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to Timor-Leste, Robin Hu, and other delegation members.

During Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s official visit to Timor-Leste, he also had meetings with other members of the Government, namely the Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister for Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas. Minister Vivian Balakrishnan also met with the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta. 

Minister Balakrishnan will also visit Singapore-linked businesses and non-governmental organisations and attend the launch of the Singapore Community Association in Timor-Leste.