DILI (TOP) — Prime-Minister (PM), Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão flew to Vietnam today to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in strategic areas.
PM Xanana paid an official visit today to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for three days, from 8 to 10 June 2026, with the objective of strengthening bilateral relations and promoting cooperation between the two countries.
According to the agenda of the visit, the Prime Minister will hold a courtesy meeting with the Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the President of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, at the Party Headquarters on Monday, June 8, 2026, and on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 will deliver a speech at the ASEAN Future Forum 2026, an event that brings together political leaders, policymakers and development partners from the region and the world.
On the same day, the Head of Government will hold a bilateral meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister, Le Minh Hung to discuss how to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in strategic areas.
After the bilateral meeting, Timor-Leste and Vietnam will sign four agreements. Two of these agreements related to Education and Higher Education, with the objective of promoting partnerships between academic and research institutions, exchange of students and lecturers, development of training and research programs, as well as promotion of scholarship opportunities.
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Two other agreements on visa exemption for common passport holders and cooperation between Timor-Leste News Agency-TATOLI, I.P., and the Viet Nam News Agency (VNA).
During the visit, PM Xanana will also meet with the President of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Tran Thanh Man, to discuss relations between legislative institutions and cooperation opportunities between the two countries.
On Wednesday, 10 June 2026, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with the UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Seema Malhotra MP, to exchange views on regional and international issues.
Accompanying the Prime Minister during the visit were the Vice-Prime-Minister, Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas; Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus Soares; Minister of Trade and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira; Deputy Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel; Secretary of State for Social Communications, Expedito Dias Ximenes and Head of the Prime Minister's Office, Elizabeth Exposto.
PM Xanana and his delegation will return to Dili on June 11, 2026 by Aero Dili plane.

