Government of Timor-Leste

From June 15^th to 20^th, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão paid an official visit to the Russian Federation, during which he attended the summit in Kazan marking the 35th anniversary of relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Russian Federation. The visit included meetings between ASEAN leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as bilateral meetings and visits to academic, cultural, and historical institutions. 

Timor-Leste’s participation in the summit was particularly significant, as it marked the country’s first attendance at a commemorative summit with one of ASEAN’s dialogue partners as a full member of ASEAN. The summit brought together the leaders of ASEAN member states, the President of the Russian Federation, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn to address issues related to regional and international security, trade and investment, energy, education, science and technology, health, connectivity, and cultural cooperation.

During the summit, the leaders adopted the 2026 Kazan Declaration “ASEAN–Russian Federation: Unity in Diversity—35 Years Together,” two joint declarations on cooperation in energy and culture, and the 2026–2030 Action Plan for implementing the ASEAN–Russian Federation Strategic Partnership. These documents set out guidelines for deepening cooperation between the two sides over the next five years.

On the sidelines of the summit, the Prime Minister met with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation across the political, economic, trade, educational, and humanitarian fields.

During the meeting, Vladimir Putin congratulated Timor-Leste on its full accession to ASEAN and stated that Russia considers Timor-Leste a promising partner in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Our two countries have been engaged in a constructive political dialogue, and we will do everything we can to further this process,” said the Russian president.

Vladimir Putin also expressed interest in deepening cooperation in the energy, mining, and tourism sectors, expanding trade, and strengthening humanitarian cooperation, including in science, education, and human resources development.

Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão thanked the Russian authorities for their hospitality and stated: “We value partnerships of cooperation that can help support our country and our region. This includes foreign investment from Russia, which will be very welcome in our country. We face a shortage of jobs and human resources, and it was very important for us to learn at this conference that Russia is willing to help.”

The Head of Government also expressed Timor-Leste’s intention to establish a diplomatic mission in Moscow in the future and expressed interest in hosting a Russian Federation embassy in Dili. The two countries also began preliminary discussions on various bilateral agreements to deepen relations.

During his stay in Kazan, the Prime Minister also met Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan; attended official events organised by Russian authorities; and visited the Kazan Universal Exhibition Centre, Kazan Federal University, and the Cathedral of the Annunciation, all within the historic Kazan Kremlin complex.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Vice Prime Minister, the Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, and the Minister of Tourism and the Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas; and the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel.