DILI (TOP) — The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste has become a Permanent Observer last year, and now the Singapore government has a big commitment to help this small country in various fields in order to accelerate ASEAN full membership.
When arrived in Dili, the Singaporean Chief Diplomat immediately met with the 1996 Nobel Peace Nobel winner, the President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta at the Presidential Palace in the morning. After that heading to Palácio do Governo or Government Office to meet the Prime-Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
Singapore's Foreign Minister, Vivian Balahkrisnan during a four-day working visit in Timor-Leste stated that his government is now highly committed to supporting the Timor-Leste accession to the ASEAN Block, and is also willing to buy local products from the former Portuguese and Indonesian colonies.
"It is very grateful to come to meet with the prime minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão as a person we admire and appreciate, he is a hero of freedom fighter of this nation who has entered ASEAN as a permanent observer and Singapore is very appreciative and wants to work together in the future," said the Foreign Minister Singapore after meeting the Prime Minister of Xanana at Marritime Boundary Office in Palácio Do Governu, Dili Monday, July 24, 2023.
Minister Vivian considers PM Xanana as an old friend of Singapore.
Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão welcomed the visit of Singapore's Foreign Minister, Vivian Balahkrisnan and his delegation with pleasure, and interpreting this visit was very positive for the two countries to work together.
"Now we are still looking at government organic law, and still discussing the rectifying budget, but thinking to the future we will maintain contact, Singapore also wants to establish its ambassy here but before establishing still looking for its place," PM Xanana explained.
PM added that Singapore is a country that gives good examples to Timor-Leste in various fields that can have participation, good cooperation with Singapore.
During the meeting, PM Xanana was accompanied by his Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito Dos Santos Freitas, Timor-Leste’s Ambassador for Singapore, Maria Natália Viegas Carascalão, and Singapore Foreign Minister, Vivian Balahkrisnan accompanied by Singapore Ambassador for Timor-Leste, Robin Hu and other delegations.
Minister Vivian has also met with Vise Prime-Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and Minister for Tourism and Environment, Dato 'Sri Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, Minister of Transport and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, Minister of Trade and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira, and Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel for more than an hour.
Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs has overseen several ministries such as the Ministry of Transportation and Communication, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and several other ministries.
Vise Prime-Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and Minister for Tourism and Environment, Dato 'Sri Francisco Kalbuadi Lay stated that, Singapore has an interest in buying local products from Timor-Leste.
“For trade and industry, Minister Vivian Balakrihnan promised that if we have fruit products, vegetables and other products planted by our farmers with sufficient Singapore willing to buy, "Dato 'Sri Francisco Kalbuadi Lay explained.
Minister Vivian also promised that Singapore would reactivate flight routes every day from Singapore-Dili and Dili-Singapore in the coming time, and promised that Singapore was also to provide long term training for human resources in all fields including hospitality to Timor-Leste until it becomes a full member of ASEAN.
