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 Paris on February 25th, 2026, at the invitation of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron. 
The meeting between the two Heads of State was the third occasion for direct dialogue, following the Timorese President’s official visit to Paris in 2024 and a subsequent meeting on the sidelines of an international conference in Singapore.
During the meeting, the strengthening of bilateral economic cooperation was discussed, with an emphasis on French investment in strategic infrastructure, particularly in the Port of Tibar, an important infrastructure for the logistical and commercial development of Timor-Leste.
A trilateral project between Timor-Leste, France, and Japan was also discussed, which provides for investment in a solar energy project in Laleia, in the municipality of Manatuto, to support the future shipyard to be built with the Government of Japan’s support. The initiative aims to contribute to the diversification of the energy matrix and to strengthen national industrial capacities.
In the field of human capital development, the French President reiterated France’s support for empowering young Timorese, particularly by strengthening French language skills and expanding training opportunities.
The two Heads of State also discussed international issues, including the situation in the Indo-Pacific, the South China Sea, Ukraine, Myanmar, and the Middle East. They reaffirmed their commitment to respecting international law, promoting peace, and resolving conflicts peacefully.
In the context of Timor-Leste’s full integration into ASEAN, the desire to deepen the partnership between Timor-Leste and France was expressed, grounded in multilateralism and international cooperation. The visit was part of the President of the Republic’s trip to Europe, which also included participation in the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.