General Secretary and President To Lam on Wednesday received Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, who is on an official visit to Vietnam and attending the ASEAN Future Forum.
Welcoming the Timor-Leste leader, To Lam said the visit carries significant importance, creating fresh momentum and opening a new phase of more substantive and effective development in the longstanding friendship between Vietnam and Timor-Leste.
The Vietnamese leader congratulated Timor-Leste on its recent achievements, particularly its official accession to ASEAN. He reaffirmed that Vietnam would continue supporting Timor-Leste's integration and effective participation in ASEAN mechanisms and cooperation programs.
General Secretary and President To Lam receives Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao.
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao expressed admiration for Vietnam’s rapid and sustainable development, saying the country’s progress has become a powerful source of inspiration for many nations, including Timor-Leste.
He also congratulated Vietnam on successfully hosting the third ASEAN Future Forum, describing it as an important platform that brings together policymakers, scholars, businesses and especially young people to help shape ASEAN’s future vision.
To Lam reaffirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to strengthening friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Timor-Leste. He reiterated Vietnam’s support for a peaceful, independent, prosperous Timor-Leste that is fully integrated into regional and international frameworks.
The General Secretary and President highly valued the outcomes of talks between Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, noting that agreements reached during the visit would provide an important framework for deeper and more practical bilateral cooperation.
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao also congratulated Vietnam on the successful organization of major political events and the consolidation of its leadership apparatus, saying these developments reflect the country's unity, strength and vision for future development.
To Lam proposed that the two countries continue strengthening political relations, including cooperation between the Communist Party of Vietnam and Timor-Leste’s National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT), while sharing experience in party building, governance and national development.
The two sides should also expand defense and security cooperation, address both traditional and non-traditional security challenges, and strengthen economic, trade and investment ties in sectors with strong potential, including oil and gas, mining, agriculture, telecommunications, digital transformation and human resource development.
Vietnam and Timor-Leste should further enhance cooperation in education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges based on recently signed agreements, including the visa exemption agreement for holders of ordinary passports.
The Timor-Leste leader praises the directions proposed by General Secretary and President To Lam for advancing bilateral relations. Photos: Pham Hai
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao welcomed the strategic directions outlined by To Lam for the future of bilateral relations.
He expressed hope that the two countries would soon convene the first meeting of their Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation to discuss specific plans and priority areas, including ways Vietnam could support Timor-Leste in strengthening economic self-reliance, developing the private sector, improving institutions and expanding infrastructure.
The two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination within ASEAN, the United Nations and other regional and international forums. They also pledged to contribute to ASEAN unity, strengthen the bloc’s central role and support peace, stability, cooperation and development across Southeast Asia.
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao departed Hanoi later on Wednesday, concluding his official visit to Vietnam and participation in the ASEAN Future Forum.
Speaking at the opening session of the forum on June 9, Gusmao described the occasion as especially meaningful because it marked Timor-Leste’s first participation as a full member of the ASEAN family.
He thanked the Vietnamese government and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam for initiating the ASEAN Future Forum, which provides an opportunity to discuss a peaceful, stable and people-centered future for ASEAN.
Vietnamnet.vn
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