President Jose Ramos-Horta of Timor Leste has arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, beginning his state visit to Vietnam from July 31 to August 3 at the invitation of President To Lam.

Accompanying President Ramos-Horta are high-ranking officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Coordination, Minister of Tourism and Environment Francisco Kalbuadi Lay; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas; Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry Marcos da Cruz; Minister of Social Communication Expedito Loro Dias Ximenes; and Timor Leste Ambassador to Vietnam João Pereira.

Welcoming the delegation at the airport were Head of the President's Office Le Khanh Hai; Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet; Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Ta Van Thong; and Deputy Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen.

The official state welcome ceremony for President Ramos-Horta will take place tomorrow morning at the Presidential Palace, hosted by President To Lam. The two leaders will hold talks and witness the signing of bilateral agreements.

During his visit, President Ramos-Horta will meet with senior Vietnamese leaders and participate in various activities aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and enhancing the traditional friendship between the two countries.

This marks the fourth high-level visit by a Timor Leste leader to Vietnam. The visit is an opportunity for both sides to discuss measures to boost cooperation and deepen bilateral relations, further cementing the longstanding friendship between the two nations.

Vietnam and Timor Leste share a long-standing friendship. Despite geographical distance, both countries have maintained close relations and supported each other on the international stage, especially in the struggle for national liberation.

Vietnam was among the first countries to recognize the Revolutionary Front for an Independent Timor Leste (FRETILIN) in September 1975. Recently, the relationship between the two countries has seen significant developments.

In recent years, due to the impact of COVID-19, bilateral trade has declined, with the total trade value reaching $15.9 million in 2023 (exports: $15.5 million, imports: $371.7 thousand).

Viettel currently operates a telecommunications project in Timor Leste under the brand Telemor, established on August 22, 2012, with services commencing on July 10, 2013. The initial investment was $500,000, which later increased to $10 million.

After ten years of development, Telemor has significantly transformed the telecommunications landscape in Timor Leste, contributing to the country's development.

Additionally, both countries have potential for cooperation in agriculture, oil and gas, fisheries, infrastructure development, and the exchange of agricultural products, textiles, consumer goods, industrial machinery, electrical equipment, education, culture, and tourism.

Both sides have agreed to continue strengthening cooperation and coordinating positions at regional and international forums. Vietnam will continue to support Timor Leste's preparations for official ASEAN membership alongside other ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Tran Thuong